Pentagon planning for more naval forces in Mideast as Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran - report

The US military is planning a potential increase of thousands of naval forces in the Middle East in the coming weeks, the Washington Post reported on Friday. The Pentagon intends to move up three aircraft carriers and escort ships into the region to create flexibility in overseeing the war, according to the report.Administration deliberates next move on IranThe planning comes as US President Donald Trump's administration deliberates on how to approach the Iran war, which has now entered its eighth month, causing dissatisfaction among the American public and roiling the global economy, according to the WP. Additional forces deployed to the region will include 20,000 troops, up to 150 fighter jets, and numerous destroyers to launch and fend off missile attacks, it added. The USS George Washington, last deployed to the Arabian Sea, the USS George H.W. Bush, currently in the Indian Ocean, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt are among the carriers involved in the discussions, the WP said, citing an earlier report by the Wall Street Journal. The USS Theodore Roosevelt was deployed recently to San Diego and must make its way across the Pacific Ocean, it added. The plans come as Trump considers renewing strikes on Iran following November's midterm elections, the WP said, citing US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In an interview published by Time magazine on Thursday, the US President said that it's “possible” he will ramp up bombing after the midterms, according to the WP's report. 50,000 troops are currently deployedAround 50,000 US troops are currently deployed in the Middle East, the WP cited US officials as saying. The Navy, according to the report, recently deployed the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a three-ship task force of Marines and sailors from California. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, a similar unit, has already been in the Middle East for months and includes more than 4,000 sailors and Marines, the report added, citing officials. If Trump decides against expanding the conflict with Iran, the recently deployed vessels would likely replace those that have been there for months, the WP cited officials as saying. The war, according to the report, has challenged the Pentagon as troop morale declines and ships require additional maintenance. The war with Iran has cost the US billions of dollars, it added, left more than 800 troops wounded, and killed at least 19 others.