The U.S. is considering deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East to reinforce its campaign against Iran, as officials weigh next steps in the conflict, according to a U.S. official and sources familiar with the discussions.
The deployments could help provide Trump with additional options as he weighs expanding U.S. operations, with the Iran war well into its third week.
Those options include securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces, the sources said.
But securing the Strait could also mean deploying U.S. troops to Iran's shoreline, said four sources, including two U.S. officials.
Reuters granted the sources anonymity to speak about military planning.
