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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days,
according to three people with knowledge of the plans. The unit is considered the Army’s emergency response force and can typically be deployed on short notice. The force would include a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team as well as Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier, the division’s commander, and division staff, according to the people, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans or private conversations.
This deployment represents the latest addition of American troops to the Iran war effort after U.S. officials recently indicated that thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships would be heading to the region.While the Marine units are trained for missions that include supporting U.S. embassies, evacuating civilians, and disaster relief, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne, based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, specialize in parachuting into hostile or contested territories to secure key locations and airfields.
When asked about the deployment, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly deferred to the Pentagon but emphasized that “President Trump always has all military options at his disposal.”
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee are scheduled to receive a classified briefing from Pentagon officials Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where the potential deployment is expected to be discussed, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The New York Times earlier reported on the possible deployment of the 82nd Airborne to the Middle East.
U.S. officials previously stated that the Japan-based USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit had been ordered to the Middle East, shifting them from exercises near Taiwan.
Additionally, the Navy has expedited the deployment of a set of ships carrying a rapid-response Marine force to the Middle East from their home post in San Diego.
The two Marine Expeditionary Units will add approximately 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region, where the U.S. already has around 50,000 troops stationed.
This troop increase coincides with the Trump administration's announcement of negotiations with Iran aimed at ending the war. Pakistan has offered to host diplomatic talks, although Iran has denied that any negotiations are taking place.
While addressing the situation at the White House on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the U.S. is “in negotiations right now” and mentioned that his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, are involved in the discussions.
“We have a number of people doing it,” Trump stated. “And the other side, I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s office reported that he has been discussing the war this week with several counterparts. However, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, refuted Trump’s claims of direct talks, and an Iranian military spokesman issued a statement vowing to fight “until complete victory.”
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Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price and Collin Binkley contributed to this report.
