The United States appears to be expanding the war with Iran by deploying additional special operations forces, fighter jets, and medical staff to the Middle East.
On the 23rd (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing key sources and aircraft-tracking data, said the U.S. military in the past week moved special operations forces that had been at bases in the United States to the Middle East. Fighter jet squadrons have been forward-deployed across the region, and long-range bombers at U.S. and British bases are reportedly preparing for expanded operations.
In addition, more than 150 additional medical personnel have recently arrived at the regional medical center in Landstuhl, Germany, where U.S. troops wounded in combat in the Middle East are primarily evacuated.
The U.S. Ministry of National Defense did not disclose specifics of the troop movements, citing operational security. The White House told the WSJ that President Donald Trump said he "can always use every option."
The latest reinforcement came after a U.S. base in Jordan was attacked by Iran, killing three U.S. service members, and one U.S. service member died while handling an unexploded Iranian drone munition in Iraq. The U.S. military has continued airstrikes for the 12th day against Iran, which claims control over the Strait of Hormuz and attacks ships.
Earlier, President Trump threatened to bomb Iran's bridges or power plants whenever Iran attacks ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. There is also talk of a possible strike on "Pickaxe Mountain," believed to be where Iran hid underground centrifuges for uranium enrichment.
Some analysts say the United States has bolstered forces to counter the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis have recently declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia. President Trump previously warned that if the Houthis attack ships in the Red Sea, he would "take care of the problem."
Inside the United States, some note that without plans for future talks, only the war expense could swell. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in Congress this week that war costs have exceeded $37 billion (54.4 trillion won). The WSJ said that if a full-scale war resumes, U.S. munitions could be depleted more quickly and disruptions to global oil supplies could worsen.
Tens of thousands of U.S. troops are already stationed in the Middle East. The U.S. Navy currently has 17 ships in the region, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and 11 destroyers, as well as a Marine expeditionary unit.
Dana Stroul, who served as deputy assistant secretary for Middle East affairs at the Ministry of National Defense under the Joe Biden administration, said, "The Trump administration actually used force whenever it built it up."
She added, "As long as the Iranian regime endures, there is no military solution," noting, "You cannot eliminate every missile and drone, and it is insufficient to change the regime's fundamental posture with limited air and naval power."