Pentagon to deploy 3,000 elite 82nd Airborne troops to the Middle East

The Department of War is preparing to dispatch 3,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to reports that broke on Tuesday. The Pentagon is anticipated to send a roughly 3,000-member brigade combat team from the elite unit based in North Carolina to back the US and Israel in their conflict with Iran, per the Wall Street Journal.

Recognized as one of the military’s top rapid-response units, the 82nd Airborne is structured to mobilize quickly, capable of deploying a battalion within 18 hours and an entire brigade within 72 hours.

Officials at the Defense Department are expected to make a formal announcement regarding the brigade’s deployment in the coming days.

This comes after there were reports indicating that the Trump administration was considering the deployment of troops to the region in order to take Kharg Island, the piece of land where the large majority of crude oil exports pass through to get shipped out of Iran.

Details remain unclear about when the troops might be sent or what exact responsibilities they would assume in the region. The Pentagon has yet to publicly confirmed the plans.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump had issued a threat to Iran, saying that if they didn't open up the Strait of Hormuz that the US would be bombarding powerplants in the region. After making a statement alluding to the threat, Trump said that there was some progress made in "productive conversations" with Iran.

"I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump said on Truth Social.

He said that the US would "postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period" which was also "subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions."

It is unclear if the talks have been successful in helping to cool down the conflict.