The United States is deploying military forces to the Middle East after Saturday’s drone attacks on major oil sites in Saudi Arabia that the administration of President Donald Trump has blamed on Iran.
“The president has authorised the deployment of U.S. forces which will likely be defensive in nature and primarily targeted on air and missile protection,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper mentioned at a information convention Friday.
Answering reporters’ questions in regards to the deployment, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the troop deployment as “modest” and “not thousands.”
Dunford mentioned he deliberate to check with U.S. Central Command and Saudi officers to work out particulars of the deployment, which he mentioned can be introduced subsequent week.
Esper mentioned troops can be primarily targeted on air and missile defenses.
The United States may also speed up cargo of military {hardware} to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, he mentioned.