Several thousand paratroopers from the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East, according to two US officials cited by Reuters. The deployment started on Monday as discussions continue over President Donald Trump’s possible next steps in the conflict with Iran. The troops departed from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, joining additional US naval, marine, and special operations forces already stationed in the region.

Reuters previously reported on March 18 that the Trump administration was considering sending thousands more troops to the Middle East, potentially including deployments inside Iran. The latest movement follows the arrival of about 2,500 US Marines over the past weekend, signaling a significant buildup of American military presence in the area.

The expanded deployment underscores Washington’s growing military posture in the Middle East as tensions with Tehran remain high, though no official statement has clarified the ultimate scope or duration of the mission.