TOPSHOT – An excavator clears rubble from destroyed residential buildings in northern Tehran on March 23, 2026. A series of strong explosions were heard on March 23, in the Iranian capital, an AFP journalist said, as the war with the United States and Israel raged for its fourth week. On February 28, Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran killing its supreme leader and triggering a war that spread across the Middle East and unleashed chaos across global markets and sent oil prices soaring. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

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Anna Commander

By Anna Commander

News Editor

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The Pentagon is considering the deployment of an additional 10,000 U.S. ground troops to the Middle East amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, The Wall Street Journal reports on Thursday, citing Defense Department officials with knowledge of the planning.

When reached by Newsweek via email for comment, the Pentagon said, "We have nothing to provide."

Why It Matters

The Pentagon has prepared to send additional troops—including elements of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and Marines—to bolster operations.

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Those previously reported plans include potentially sending up to 3,000 paratroopers to join thousands of Marines moving toward the Middle East, augmenting an estimated 50,000 U.S. personnel already in the region.

What To Know

The force would likely include armored vehicles and infantry, according to the Journal report. It is immediately unclear where the forces would be deployed, but would likely be within striking distance of Iran and Kharg Island, the report says.

“All announcements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of War. As we have said, President Trump always has all military options at his disposal,” said Anna Kelly, deputy White House press secretary, per the Journal report.

The reported planning comes as the White House allegedly pushed a 15-point peace proposal, while regional attacks and counterstrikes continue, underscoring the risk of a broader escalation.

An excavator on Monday clears rubble from destroyed residential buildings in northern Tehran. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)

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What People Are Saying

Trump, on Truth Social Thursday: "As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP"

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, on X Wednesday: "Good afternoon. This is your daily reminder that Trump just lifted sanctions on Iran to give them $14 BILLION to hep [sic] fund their war against us. In other words, your daily reminder that this is probably the dumbest war of all time."

Former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, on X Thursday: "I’m praying for our military men and women. They are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, dads and moms, husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, best friends, each of them are special. I’m praying for their families who love them." She included emojis of praying hands, a red heart and the American flag.

What Happens Next

Further deployments, if ordered, would likely be announced by the Pentagon, while Congress and allies continue watching for clarity on U.S. objectives and timelines.

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