The United States is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East amid negotiations with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday night, citing Department of Defense officials familiar with the matter.The force is likely to include both infantry and armored vehicles, in addition to the 82nd Airborne Division already deployed to the region, according to the WSJ, in order to provide US President Donald Trump with more “military options.”Experts have suggested that the deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division is aimed directly at Iranian strategic interests, such as Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.However, the WSJ noted that it is unclear where the additional force would be sent or stationed.“All announcements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of War,” Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly said. “As we have said, President Trump always has all military options at his disposal.”A spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to give the WSJ a comment.Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced in a Truth Social post that, at the request of the Iranian regime, the US would be “pausing the period of energy plant destruction” until April 6, claiming that talks with the regime are ongoing.He added that the talks are “going very well,” but did not elaborate on what the goal of the pause is or what will happen at the end of the ten days.Amichai Stein, Corinne Baum, and Goldie Katz contributed to this report.
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