The paratroopers from Fort Bragg Air Force Base in North Carolina joined thousands of Marines, sailors and special forces already deployed in the region.
About 2,500 Marines arrived over the weekend. Officials did not specify the exact locations of the troop deployments, but said the reinforcements were part of preparations for possible future operations.
A risky operation
The missions include taking Harg Island, controlling oil routes and extracting enriched uranium from Iran, the sources said, according to Reuters.
Operations on Harg Island, a key port for 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, are considered very risky due to the range of Iranian missiles and drones.
The administration is also considering the possibility of using ground troops to secure the passage of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, with the primary use of air and naval forces.
Trump said today that the US is in talks with a “sane regime” to end the war in Iran, while warning Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk US attacks on oil and energy facilities.
Since the start of the operation on February 28, the US has struck more than 11,000 targets, injured more than 300 soldiers, and killed 13 members of the armed forces as part of Operation Epic Rage.
(Vijesti.ba)
