ABC News – U.S. Central Command is requesting additional defensive capabilities that could lead to as many as 5,000 to 10,000 additional troops being sent to the Middle East to deter Iran, a U.S. official told ABC News.
On Thursday afternoon, acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan confirmed that the Pentagon is asking for more forces, but would not confirm any numbers, saying that it was not 5,000 or 10,000.
“What we are focused on now is do we have the right force protection in the Middle East?,” he told reporters outside the Pentagon.
“What we’re looking at are there things we can do to enhance force protection in the Middle East,” he added.
