https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-expected-send-thousands-soldiers-middle-east-sources-say-2026-03-24/ Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals Learn more aboutRefinitiv * World Browse World + Africa + Americas + Asia Pacific + China + Europe + India + Iran War + Israel and Hamas at War + Japan + Middle East + Ukraine and Russia at War + United Kingdom + United States + Reuters NEXT New York * Business Browse Business + Aerospace & Defense + Autos & Transportation + Davos + Energy + Environment + Finance + Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals + Media & Telecom + Retail & Consumer + Future of Health + Future of Money + Take Five + World at Work * Markets Browse Markets + On the Money + Watchlist + Asian Markets + Carbon Markets + Commodities + Currencies + Deals + Emerging Markets + ETFs + European Markets + Funds + Econ World + Global Market Data + Rates & Bonds + Stocks + U.S. Markets + Wealth * Sustainability Browse Sustainability + Boards, Policy & Regulation + Climate & Energy + Land Use & Biodiversity + Society & Equity + Sustainable Finance & Reporting + The Switch + Reuters Impact + COP30 * More Legal + Government + Legal Industry + Litigation + Transactional + US Supreme Court Commentary + Breakingviews + ROI: Reuters Open Interest Technology + Artificial Intelligence + Cybersecurity + Space + Disrupted Investigations Sports + Winter Olympics + Athletics + Baseball + Basketball + Cricket + Cycling + Formula 1 + Golf + NFL + NHL + Soccer + Tennis Science Lifestyle + Culture Current City Memo Graphics + Chart of the Week Pictures Wider Image Podcasts + Reuters World News + Reuters Morning Bid + Reuters Econ World + On Assignment + Viewsroom + The Big View Live Fact Check Video Media Center + Announcements + Awards + Inside the Newsroom + People News Sponsored Content + Reuters Plus + Press Releases Subscribe US expected to send thousands more soldiers to Middle East, sources say By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart March 24, 20265:52 PM UTCUpdated ago * * * * * * * * * Summary * Deployment latest sign of continued U.S. military buildup despite possible talks * Trump administration considering operations inside Iranian territory, sources say * Public support for U.S. strikes on Iran remains low, poll shows WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, adding to a massive U.S. military buildup even as President Donald Trump talks about a possible deal with Tehran to end the war. Reuters first reported on March 18 that Trump's administration was considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops, a move that would expand options to include deployment of forces inside Iranian territory. Such an escalation could dramatically raise the stakes in the conflict, which is already in its fourth week and has roiled global markets. Sign up here. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not specify where in the Middle East the troops would go or when they would arrive in the region. The soldiers are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The U.S. military referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. No decision had been made to send troops into Iran itself, one of the sources told Reuters, but they will build up capacity for potential future operations in the region. One of the sources said the Pentagon was set to send between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers. The soldiers' deployment follows Reuters' March 20 report about the U.S. decision to send thousands of Marines and sailors aboard the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, along with its Marine Expeditionary Unit and accompanying warships to the Middle East. Prior to the additional forces being sent to the region, there were 50,000 U.S. troops there. News of reinforcements comes just a day after Trump postponed threats to bomb Iranian power plants, saying there had been "productive" talks with Iran. Pentagon Anthropic feud has sales and AI warfare at stake as Friday deadline looms The Pentagon logo is seen behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/ Al Drago/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab But after Trump's Truth Social comment on Monday, Iran denied that any talks had been held. The U.S. has carried out strikes against 9,000 targets inside Iran since U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran started on February 28. Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed so far in the war and 290 have been wounded, a U.S. official said. While 10 remain seriously wounded, 255 troops have returned to duty. TRUMP WEIGHS NEXT STEPS Sources had previously said the U.S. military was looking at options in the Iran war including securing the Strait of Hormuz, potentially by deploying U.S. forces to Iran's shoreline. The Trump administration has also discussed options to send ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iran's oil exports, Reuters has reported. The 82nd Airborne Division, which can deploy within 18 hours of receiving orders, specializes in carrying out parachute assaults. Any use of U.S. ground troops - even for a limited mission - could pose significant political risks for Trump, given low American public support for the Iran campaign and Trump's own pre-election promises to avoid entangling the U.S. in new Middle East conflicts. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday found that 35% of Americans approve of the U.S. strikes on Iran, down from 37% in a survey conducted last week. Some 61% disapproved of the strikes, compared to 59% last week. Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab * Suggested Topics: * Middle East * * * * * Purchase Licensing Rights Idrees Ali Idrees Ali Thomson Reuters National security correspondent focusing on the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Reports on U.S. military activity and operations throughout the world and the impact that they have. Has reported from over two dozen countries to include Iraq, Afghanistan, and much of the Middle East, Asia and Europe. From Karachi, Pakistan. * * * Phil Stewart Phil Stewart Thomson Reuters Phil Stewart has reported from more than 60 countries, including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China and South Sudan. An award-winning Washington-based national security reporter, Phil has appeared on NPR, PBS NewsHour, Fox News and other programs and moderated national security events, including at the Reagan National Defense Forum and the German Marshall Fund. He is a recipient of the Edwin M. 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