US sending 1,500 troops to the Middle East

The US will bolster its military presence in the Middle East with an additional 1,500 troops, President Donald Trump has confirmed, amid heightened tensions with Iran.

The president told reporter sat the White House that the troops would have a “mostly protective” role.

The forces will deploy in the coming weeks, “with their primary responsibilities and activities being defensive in nature”.

Their mission will include protecting US forces already in the region and ensuring freedom of navigation.

Earlier this week, officials said Pentagon planners had outlined plans that could have sent up to 10,000 military reinforcements to the region. Washington began reinforcing its presence in the Persian Gulf region this month in response to what it said was a threat from Iran.

The US has tens of thousands of troops in the Middle East, including at a major Navy base in Bahrain and an Air Force base in Qatar.