Citing informed sources, Qatari media reported that thousands of US troops are also being deployed to the region, just one month before the midterm elections in November. The Trump administration's handling of the war is unpopular with many Americans, which could significantly impact the Republican Party in the upcoming elections.
So what does this latest US troop surge mean, and could it be a sign that the conflict with Iran is about to enter a new phase of escalation?
What forces and equipment were deployed to the area?
A U.S. official said the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group departed its base in San Diego on September 27, heading toward the Middle East. The following day, the Marine Corps' Makin Island Expeditionary Unit (MEU) also set sail, carrying approximately 2,000 Marines.
According to US media, this deployment of the carrier strike group and naval forces could bring an additional 9,000-10,000 US military personnel to the region, including sailors and Marines from the carrier strike group and other ships.
The US official said that by the end of November, three US aircraft carriers and two amphibious assault groups would be deployed near Iran.
He said that this large-scale concentration of forces would give President Trump more options if he decided to act.
The new deployment, which includes F-35 fighter jets, will add to the approximately 50,000 U.S. troops already stationed in the region. The goal is to keep military options “on the negotiating table” for President Trump, regardless of how diplomatic efforts unfold. The Pentagon currently has no plans to withdraw any forces or equipment, even if the U.S. and Iran reach an agreement.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared that U.S. forces were “ready to act” if President Trump ordered new attacks.
How has the U.S. increased its military presence in the Middle East?
The United States has maintained a military presence in the Middle East for decades. According to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Washington operates a network of military facilities, including both permanent and temporary bases, at least 19 locations in the region. Eight permanent bases are located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
By mid-2025, the US will have approximately 40,000 to 50,000 troops stationed in the Middle East. Since the beginning of this year, President Trump has continued to strengthen the military presence in the region, primarily by deploying warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, to the Arabian Sea.
According to open-source intelligence analysts and military flight tracking data, the U.S. has deployed more than 120 aircraft to the region since the beginning of February. This is the largest U.S. air force buildup in the Middle East since the Iraq War in 2003.
The deployed forces include E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, and F-35, F-22, F-15, and F-16 stealth fighter jets. Flight tracking data shows numerous aircraft departing from bases in the US and Europe, supported by transport aircraft and aerial refueling. According to military experts, the scale of the deployment indicates that the US is preparing for a prolonged military operation, rather than just a routine troop rotation.
In March, the Pentagon continued to deploy additional forces to the Gulf region, including two amphibious readiness groups with Marine units and approximately 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force.
In total, nearly 7,000 American troops have been deployed to the Middle East since the war with Iran began.
What signal does this latest deployment send?
It is not yet possible to say whether the new troop surge signals an escalation in the conflict. However, in an interview with Time magazine published on October 1st, President Trump said it was "possible" he would increase airstrikes against Iran after the midterm elections.
When asked for more details by Time, Trump replied, "I can't reveal that."
Some analysts suggest that deploying more troops to the region could be a way for Washington to increase pressure in negotiations with Tehran.
Last week, Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, on the condition that the U.S. lift sanctions, release frozen Iranian assets, and guarantee an end to the attacks. However, the Trump administration rejected the proposal.
According to analysts, the US wants to include other issues, including Iran's nuclear program, in the negotiations before approving any agreement.
In an interview with Time, President Trump said he rejected Iran's latest ceasefire proposal because it contained "things" he "wouldn't have approved a year ago" and "wouldn't approve now either."
Alongside its display of military strength, Washington is also increasing economic pressure on Tehran. This week, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iranian railway and automotive companies. The U.S. Treasury Department said the new measures are aimed at depleting Tehran's remaining revenue streams.
Last month, Washington also announced a series of broad sanctions targeting Iran and countries that trade with it.
What stage are the diplomatic efforts currently at?
Indirect negotiations between the US and Iran, mediated by third parties, continue but have yet to achieve a breakthrough. At contacts on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York last month, mediated by Qatar, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remained a sticking point.
Iran has put forward a seven-day roadmap under which Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations in exchange for the US ending its naval blockade, easing sanctions, and achieving a ceasefire in the region, including Lebanon and Yemen. President Donald Trump has rejected the plan.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the demand for the release of frozen funds and the easing of sanctions was non-negotiable. He stressed that these were not just US sanctions but "global sanctions," citing seven UN Security Council resolutions related to Iran's nuclear weapons program.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was “fully ready” to resume the war. However, he later wrote on social media that Iran “did not come to New York to sell war. We came to build peace.”
Meanwhile, Washington continued to exert pressure. Late on October 1st, President Trump warned that the confrontation would end “very soon” and that Tehran would face serious consequences if no agreement was reached. He also questioned Iran’s ability to abide by its commitments, stating that it was “very likely” Tehran would not implement the signed agreement.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/my-tang-quan-dua-them-tau-san-bay-toi-iran-chien-su-sap-leo-thang-post1390992.html
