The Pentagon is sending thousands more U.S. troops to the Middle East as tensions with Iran remain high and President Donald Trump weighs the possibility of additional military strikes after the midterm elections.
The new deployment includes a third aircraft carrier strike group and another Marine expeditionary unit, significantly increasing the American military presence already operating in the region.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group will bring more than 7,000 sailors, while roughly 2,000 Marines aboard the USS Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and its accompanying amphibious ships are also heading to the Middle East.
The additional forces are expected to arrive by the end of November.
The Theodore Roosevelt, nicknamed “The Big Stick” in a nod to President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous foreign policy motto, departed its home port in San Diego on Sunday. The Makin Island group followed Monday, according to The Wall Street Journal.
More than 50,000 U.S. troops already in region
The reinforcements will join an already substantial American military presence in the Middle East.
More than 50,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in the region, military officials told the Journal. The USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington carrier strike groups are already operating there, along with the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group.
The arrival of the Theodore Roosevelt could allow the George Washington to return to its home port in Japan, although the Pentagon has not made clear whether that is the plan.
The Washington was sent to the Middle East in August to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln following concerns about conditions aboard the Lincoln during an unusually long deployment.
Those concerns included problems with food and supplies, faulty plumbing and the toll the extended deployment was taking on sailors. The Lincoln spent more than 260 days at sea without making a port visit.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said last week that eight service members attempted suicide during the Lincoln’s extended deployment, adding another troubling dimension to the strain created by prolonged operations in the region.
Trump leaves door open to more strikes
The military buildup comes as Trump continues to leave open the possibility of escalating U.S. attacks against Iran.
Trump recently rejected an Iranian proposal aimed at ending the war and initially threatened additional strikes ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. He appeared to soften that position during an interview with Time magazine published Thursday.
Trump said it is “possible” that the United States will increase its bombing campaign after the midterms but declined to provide details about what military action he is considering.
He also defended his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal.
“Things that I wouldn’t have approved a year ago I wouldn’t have today,” Trump said.
Trump indicated that Iran’s proposal included an offer involving the Strait, but said the overall terms fell short of what he was willing to accept.
“I mean, it was — they made an offer to open up the Strait. You know, you saw some aspects of it, not all. But it’s just, it’s just, it’s not good enough,” Trump said.
War hangs over midterm elections
The timing puts the conflict squarely into the political conversation with Election Day approaching.
Trump acknowledged that the war could hurt Republicans at the ballot box, saying “it’s possible” voters could hold the conflict against the GOP.
But he ultimately dismissed that concern, arguing that the administration's policy toward Tehran should benefit Republicans politically.
“It should help, because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Whether the administration launches another round of strikes before or after Election Day remains uncertain. What is clear is that the Pentagon is positioning significantly more American military power in the region.
