The United States is preparing to send at least 9,000 more troops to the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing American officials. The deployment would include a third aircraft carrier support group and an additional Marine expeditionary unit.
According to the report, President Donald Trump is considering renewing strikes on Iran after November’s midterm elections, as tensions with Tehran continue to escalate.
The development follows remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday that Iran had loaded “zero crude oil” onto tankers in September, and that “Operation Economic Outcast” was cutting off Tehran’s most critical source of revenue.
Trump has also said Washington could ask its European allies to release strategic diesel reserves to curb prices driven up by the conflict with Iran.
Meanwhile, US authorities arrested Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a Department of Energy employee, on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Houthi militia. The 51-year-old is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Friday.
Tracking data shows flights at Tehran’s main international airport have fallen by 42 percent since the US ban on Iranian airlines, though some popular routes remain in operation.
Leave a Reply