Washington, March 29 (SANA) The U.S. Department of Defense is studying plans for potential ground operations in Iran, including special forces raids, The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
According to the report, the plans under consideration could involve weeks of operations, including missions by special operations forces and conventional infantry units.
U.S. officials also told the newspaper that the administration is reviewing proposals to deploy at least 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East.
The report coincided with an announcement by U.S. Central Command that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has arrived in the region, carrying around 3,500 sailors and Marines.
The deployment comes amid rising tensions following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28, and subsequent Iranian strikes targeting U.S. and Israeli interests, as well as locations in Gulf Arab states.
The escalation has disrupted global energy trade and raised concerns about a broader economic slowdown.
N.J./ A.B
