logo
  • Home
  • National
  • Sylhet
    • Moulvibazar
    • Sunamganj
    • Habiganj
  • NRB News
  • UK News
  • International
  • Sports
  • Tourism
  • Entertainment
  • Business
    • Technology
    • Featured
    • Opinion
    • Health
    • Life Style
    • Photo Gallery
    • Sylhet Mirror Team
  • Home
  • National
  • International
  • UK News
  • NRB News
  • Sylhet
  • Sunamganj
  • Moulvibazar
  • Habiganj
  • Business
  • Featured
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Photo Gallery
  • Sports
  • SUST
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Sylhet Mirror Team
  • Contact us
  1. Home
  2. International
  3. Pentagon proposing a troop buildup in Mideast

Pentagon proposing a troop buildup in Mideast


Published: 23 May 2019, 3:30:55

Pentagon proposing a troop buildup in Mideast

Photo: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, left, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speak to members of the media after a classified briefing for members of Congress on Iran on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Washington, May 23 : The Pentagon on Thursday will present plans to the White House to send up to 10,000 more troops to the Middle East, in a move to beef up defenses against potential Iranian threats, U.S. officials said.

The officials said no final decision has been made yet, and it’s not clear if the White House would approve sending all or just some of the requested forces. Officials said the move is not in response to any new threat from Iran, but is aimed at reinforcing security in the region. They said the troops would be defensive forces, and the discussions include additional Patriot missile batteries, more ships and increased efforts to monitor Iran.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been formally announced.

Thursday morning’s meeting comes as tensions with Iran continue to simmer, and it wasn’t clear if a decision would be made during the session. Any move to deploy more forces to the Middle East would signal a shift for President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly emphasized the need to reduce America’s troop presence in the region.

U.S. officials have provided few details about possible Iranian threats, but indicated they initially involved missiles loaded onto small Iranian boats. This week officials said the missiles have been taken off the boats near Iran’s shore, but other maritime threats continue.

Sending more troops could also raise questions on Capitol Hill. During back-to-back closed briefings for the House and Senate on Tuesday, defense leaders told congressional officials the U.S. doesn’t want to go to war with Iran and wants to de-escalate the situation.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told lawmakers the U.S. is seeking to deter, not provoke, Iran, even while accusing Tehran of threatening U.S. interests in the Mideast. Shanahan told reporters, “Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation.”

Many in Congress are skeptical of the administration’s approach to Iran, questioning whether it is responding to significant new Iranian threats or escalating a situation that could lead to war.

CNN first reported that the Pentagon will brief the White House on a plan that could send thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East.

Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder, spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declined to comment, saying, “As a matter of long-standing policy, we are not going to discuss or speculate on potential or alleged future operations or plans.”

In early May, the U.S. accelerated the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Mideast and sent four B-52 bomber aircraft to the region. The Pentagon also decided to move a Patriot air-defense missile battery to an undisclosed country in the area.

The Trump administration has evacuated nonessential personnel from Iraq, amid unspecified threats the administration said are linked to Iranian-backed militias in the country.

On Sunday, a rocket was fired into Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, landing less than a mile from the sprawling U.S. Embassy. There were no injuries and no group claimed responsibility, but the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad — which is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias.

Some Democrats say Trump is responsible for drawing Iran’s ire. Last year he abruptly pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, negotiated during the Obama administration to prevent Iran from nuclear weapons production, without crafting a coherent strategy for how to combat other Iranian behavior like supporting extremist organizations. He also has reimposed punishing sanctions that have crippled Tehran’s economy, and designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization in April.

“I have yet to see any exhibited strategy,” said Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, a former CIA officer. She said she finds many of the administration’s recent statements on Iran to be “deeply troubling.”

International
Top military commanders among 78 killed, 320 wounded in Israeli strikes

Top military commanders among 78 killed, 320 wounded in Israeli strikes

IRGC commander, nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strikes: Iran TV

IRGC commander, nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strikes: Iran TV

Iran launches counterattack on Israel: IDF

Iran launches counterattack on Israel: IDF

More than 100 airstrikes in Iran in 5 phases so far

More than 100 airstrikes in Iran in 5 phases so far

Latest News
King and Queen cheered by crowds at Trooping the Colour
King and Queen cheered by crowds at Trooping the Colour
Why do we dress like someone else when we go on holiday?
Why do we dress like someone else when we go on holiday?
I’m an NHS leader – but mum still suffered at hands of health service because she was black
I’m an NHS leader – but mum still suffered at hands of health service because she was black
Final Grenfell anniversary before tower comes down
Final Grenfell anniversary before tower comes down
Swades draws fresh attention over similarities with 1990s TV episode ‘Vapasi’
Swades draws fresh attention over similarities with 1990s TV episode ‘Vapasi’
China begins 1st human trial of invasive Brain-Computer Interface
China begins 1st human trial of invasive Brain-Computer Interface
Yunus-Tarique London meeting signals democratic momentum: Dudu
Yunus-Tarique London meeting signals democratic momentum: Dudu
National eye hospital resumes full services after 17-day
National eye hospital resumes full services after 17-day
Stone workers surround two advisers’ cars in Jaflong
Stone workers surround two advisers’ cars in Jaflong
Saudi, Qatar to host football World Cup playoffs
Saudi, Qatar to host football World Cup playoffs
Messi fit as injuries weigh on Inter Miami before Club World Cup
Messi fit as injuries weigh on Inter Miami before Club World Cup
Meta invests in Scale AI, valuing startup at over $29 billion; founder Alexandr Wang to join Meta
Meta invests in Scale AI, valuing startup at over $29 billion; founder Alexandr Wang to join Meta
No more stone quarries to open in Sylhet: Adviser Rizwana
No more stone quarries to open in Sylhet: Adviser Rizwana
Police not allowed to carry heavy lethal weapons: Home Adviser
Police not allowed to carry heavy lethal weapons: Home Adviser
Prof Yunus returns home after 4-day London visit
Prof Yunus returns home after 4-day London visit


© 2023 Sylhetmirror.com All Rights Reserved

Editor : Mohammed Abdul Karim (Goni)
Executive Editor : Enamul Haque Renu

Sylhet Mirror Team

Office: Unit 2, 60 Hanbury Street London E1 5JL Email : sylhetmirror@gmail.com

Developed by: Web Design & IT Company in Bangladesh

Go to top