Date: October 1, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
The United States is deploying roughly 9,000 additional troops to the Middle East aboard a group of military ships as President Donald Trump weighs whether to resume or expand strikes against Iran, according to a U.S. official cited by the Associated Press.
The deployment includes more than 7,000 sailors and about 2,000 Marines aboard two major naval formations: the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group. The buildup comes amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran and growing uncertainty over efforts to end the conflict.
The Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group recently deployed with the cruiser USS Chosin, while the Makin Island group includes the amphibious ships USS John P. Murtha and USS Anchorage. The additional forces are expected to significantly increase the number of American sailors and Marines operating in the region.
According to the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the military movements, the deployment could result in three American aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East by the end of October.
Two other carrier groups are already operating in the region. The USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington are present alongside the USS Boxer amphibious readiness group. The George Washington was moved from its normal Pacific deployment to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln after the latter spent more than 260 consecutive days at sea.
If the new forces arrive as expected, the American naval presence in the region could exceed 20,000 sailors and Marines, supported by hundreds of aircraft. The scale would represent an unusually large concentration of U.S. military power in the Middle East.
The deployment comes as Trump has publicly raised the possibility of renewed military action against Iran. In an interview with Time magazine published Thursday, Trump said it was “possible” that he would increase bombing in Iran after the November 3 U.S. elections.
Trump declined to provide details when questioned about potential targets or the timing of any military action, saying he could not disclose his strategy publicly.
The president also warned Iran that the United States could retaliate if investigators establish a connection between Tehran and Wednesday's incident involving a Flydubai passenger aircraft traveling from Dubai to Israel.
The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia after Israeli authorities said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Passengers and other crew members intervened, and the plane eventually landed safely in Tabuk.
Trump told reporters at the White House that preliminary information indicated there could be a connection between the incident and Iran, although he did not provide evidence publicly. “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is ‘yes,’ but we’re working on it right now,” Trump said when asked about a possible Iranian link.
Trump then warned that Iran would face a forceful U.S. response if such a connection were established. The claim about Iranian involvement remains an allegation under investigation and has not been independently established.
The U.S. military buildup is also unfolding as Washington and Tehran remain at odds over diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Iran has proposed conditions involving the Strait of Hormuz, while the Trump administration has rejected the latest proposal as insufficient.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the confrontation because it is one of the world's most important energy routes. Disruptions in the waterway have already affected oil and gas markets and contributed to volatility in global energy supplies.
Oil prices rose sharply Thursday amid renewed concerns about the possibility of expanded U.S.-Iran military action. Brent crude settled at $102.31 a barrel, up 4.37%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 2.71% to $92.87. Reuters attributed the increase partly to reports of additional U.S. troops and an aircraft carrier moving toward the Middle East, alongside concerns about China's suspension of some fuel-product exports.
The United States has maintained a significant military presence across the Middle East throughout the conflict, including forces and aircraft stationed in countries that could become involved if fighting expands. The region's concentration of American military personnel has also made U.S. bases potential targets for Iranian retaliation should Washington launch new attacks.
The latest deployment therefore increases both the United States' military capacity in the region and the potential scale of any confrontation that could follow.
Washington has not announced a decision to launch a new campaign against Iran. The movement of forces provides the administration with additional military options, but it does not by itself establish that a new attack has been ordered.
Trump has previously said he remains interested in reaching an agreement with Tehran while simultaneously warning of further military action if Iran does not accept U.S. demands. The administration's next steps are expected to depend on the status of negotiations, developments around the Strait of Hormuz and assessments of Iranian activity across the region.
For now, thousands of additional American troops are moving toward the Middle East while diplomatic efforts remain uncertain and Trump weighs whether to expand military operations against Iran.