US sends 9,000 troops to Middle East as Trump weighs Iran strikes
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The US military is sending about 9,000 troops on ships to the Middle East, a US official said on Thursday. The deployment includes a third aircraft carrier and raises the US naval presence to more than 20,000 sailors and Marines. President Donald Trump said fresh strikes against Iran could still be an option as Washington probes possible Iranian links to the FlyDubai attack.
Key Facts
- The deployment includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group.
- The ships carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines.
- The move could put three aircraft carriers in the region by the end of October.
- President Trump said early indications suggested Iran was linked to the FlyDubai co-pilot who stabbed his captain and tried to crash a flight bound for Israel.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that investigators believed the FlyDubai suspect underwent 'Islamist, radical indoctrination'.
Troop Deployment
The US military is sending about 9,000 troops on a group of ships to the Middle East, a US official said on Thursday. The ships now heading to the Middle East carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines. They include the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which recently deployed with the cruiser USS Chosin, and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group, which includes the USS John P. Murtha and USS Anchorage amphibious landing ships. According to the US official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations, the move could put three carriers in the region by the end of October. With personnel already in the Middle East, the deployment would raise the US naval presence to more than 20,000 sailors and Marines, along with hundreds of aircraft.
Iran Strike Option
President Donald Trump said fresh strikes against Iran could still be an option as Washington probes possible Iranian links to the FlyDubai attack. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said early indications suggested Iran was linked to the FlyDubai co-pilot. Asked if there were any connections between the attacker and Tehran, Trump said, 'I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now,' without giving details. He added that if the link to Iran is established, the United States would retaliate: 'Oh, they'll be hit very hard, don't worry,' Trump said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier told Fox News that investigators believed the FlyDubai suspect underwent 'Islamist, radical indoctrination' but did not give further details.
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