The Pentagon is reportedly preparing to deploy around 3,000 soldiers from the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to support operations related to Iran, according to two US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Defense officials are expected to formally announce the deployment of a brigade combat team from the division in the coming days, according to the Journal.
While officials emphasized that no decision has been made to send ground forces into Iran, the potential movement of the 82nd Airborne could give President Donald Trump additional strategic options. These could include efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, secure strategic areas, or carry out targeted missions depending on future decisions.
Another possibility being considered, should President Trump authorize U.S. troops to seize the island, is an attack by about 2,500 troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is on its way to the region.
The 82nd Airborne’s combat brigade is the U.S. Army’s rapid-response force, capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Trained for airborne operations, the unit specializes in parachuting into hostile or contested areas to secure airfields and key positions.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is preparing to lead a multinational maritime effort aimed at reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz once tensions ease.
The Strait of Hormuz plays a vital role in global energy supply, and any disruption could have significant consequences for international markets. Britain’s plan to spearhead the coalition underscores broader efforts to secure key maritime corridors and support global economic stability during and after the conflict.