The United States is set to deploy thousands of additional troops to West Asia as a two-week ceasefire with Iran approaches its April 22 deadline, according to a report.
Around 6,000 troops aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush are expected to arrive in the region, along with warships and about 4,200 Navy and Marine personnel from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The reinforcements will join roughly 50,000 US personnel already involved in operations countering Iran, the Pentagon has said.
The deployment comes as Washington and Tehran are expected to resume negotiations, even as tensions remain high following the collapse of 21-hour talks in Islamabad.
US President Donald Trump said the conflict could end soon if both sides act quickly. “I think it can be over very soon. If they're smart, it will end soon,” he said in an interview with Fox Business, adding that gas prices would drop significantly once the situation stabilises.
The US recently announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move Iran has described as a step toward violating the ceasefire. Iranian military officials warned that continued restrictions on its shipping could trigger retaliation.
Ali Abdollahi of Iran’s central military command said the blockade creates insecurity for Iranian commercial vessels and oil tankers. He warned that Iran could halt all exports and imports through key waterways, including the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman and the Red Sea, if the situation continues.
US Central Command said the blockade has been fully implemented, claiming that within 36 hours it had effectively halted maritime trade into and out of Iran. Officials said about 90 percent of Iran’s economy depends on seaborne trade.
The US military is also planning to track and potentially board Iranian vessels crossing key routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, as part of the enforcement measures.