Officials: US to send 1,500 troops to Middle East

National Politics

Officials: US to send 1,500 troops to Middle East

By SUSANNAH GEORGE and LOLITA BALDOR Associated Press

May 24, 2019 08:51 AM

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FILE – In this March 20, 2019 file photo, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Shanahan is set to deliver the commencement address to the 2019 graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy. The former Boeing executive will speak Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.


Andrew Harnik, File

AP Photo


WASHINGTON

U.S. officials say the Trump administration has notified Congress it plans to send 1,500 troops to the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran.

Officials said members of Congress were notified following a White House meeting Thursday to discuss Pentagon proposals to bolster the U.S. force presence in the Middle East.

The officials spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the troop plans have not yet been formally announced.

Earlier this week, officials had said that Pentagon planners had outlined plans that could have sent up to 10,000 military reinforcements to the region. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan later said planners hadn’t settled on a figure.

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The U.S. began reinforcing its presence in the Persian Gulf region this month in response to what it said was a threat from Iran.

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