The U.S. is moving forward with deploying over 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East by the end of April this year to increase pressure on Iran, despite the current temporary ceasefire agreement.
On 16 April 2026, The Washington Post reported, citing current and former U.S. officials, that the U.S. has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East with over 10,000 troops. The new forces include about 6,000 personnel stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush and its escort ships.
Additionally, around 4,200 troops from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are scheduled to arrive in the region by the end of April.
Earlier reports indicated that approximately 50,000 U.S. troops have been involved in operations related to the conflict with Iran since it began on 28 February.
Meanwhile, the arrival of the USS George HW Bush will bring the total number of U.S. aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East to three, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald Ford, which were already deployed.
Source: Aljazeera