US sends 9,000 troops and third aircraft carrier toward Middle East as Trump weighs new Iran strikes

WASHINGTON, Oct 2 : The United States is sending about 9,000 sailors and Marines and a third aircraft carrier toward the Middle East, as President Donald Trump weighs whether to resume large-scale military action against Iran, according to US officials cited by the Associated Press.

The deployment includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group. The forces together include more than 7,000 sailors and about 2,000 Marines. The Theodore Roosevelt recently departed San Diego, while the Makin Island group has also begun moving toward the region.

The deployment could bring the number of US aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East to three by the end of October, joining the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington, which are already in the region.

Separately, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is preparing options for a possible three-carrier deployment that could involve nearly 20,000 US troops, up to 150 fighter aircraft and multiple missile-capable destroyers. The potential force would include the USS George Washington, USS George H.W. Bush and USS Theodore Roosevelt, along with their escort ships.

The planning is intended to give Trump and US military commanders greater flexibility as Washington considers its next steps in the conflict with Iran. The Washington Post reported that one option under consideration could involve renewed military action after the November 3 US midterm elections.

The latest military moves come amid stalled diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. Trump said Thursday that Iran's latest peace proposal was insufficient and indicated that US bombing operations could resume after the elections.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has increased special pay for US troops serving in areas exposed to hostile fire or imminent danger.

Effective October 1, hostile fire pay doubled from $225 to $450 per month, while the maximum imminent danger pay increased from $225 to $275 per month. The changes represent the first adjustment to the rates since 2002.

The changes come as the US military continues to sustain casualties in the conflict. The Washington Post reported that at least 19 US troops have been killed and more than 860 wounded during the conflict.

The potential concentration of three US carrier strike groups in the region would represent a significant increase in American naval power in the Middle East as Washington weighs its next moves toward Iran.