Response to ‘hostile’ Iran: more troops

The Pentagon announced late Monday that it’s sending another 1,000 troops to the Middle East in response to Iran’s “hostile behavior,” as top Trump administration officials tried to convince foreign counterparts that Tehran was behind last week’s oil tanker attacks in the Persian Gulf.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement that the deployment decision was made in consultation with the White House and Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The troops will serve in a “defensive” capacity to address “air, naval, and groundbased threats in the Middle East,” Shanahan said, specifically citing “hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups.”

“The United States does not seek conflict with Iran,” Shanahan said. “The action today is being taken to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests. We will continue to monitor the situation diligently and make adjustments to force levels as necessary given intelligence reporting and credible threats.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other Trump officials have been reaching out to officials in Europe and Asia in the past few days, attempting to convince them that Iran was behind two attacks on oil tankers last week near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic point for oil shipments from the Middle East.

Pompeo said Sunday the U.S. had “unmistakable” evidence to prove Iran was responsible for the attacks. The secretary also openly mulled military action against Iran.

Tehran has vehemently denied the allegations and accused the Trump administration of “Iranophobic” behavior.

The latest troop deployments adds to the 1,500 service members that President Trump announced last month were bound for the Middle East amid growing tensions with Iran.