Pentagon proposing US military reinforcements in Mideast

The Pentagon is presenting proposals to the White House to send military reinforcements to the Middle East to beef up defenses against Iran amid heightened tensions in the region, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan says.

Shanahan told reporters the Defense Department has not yet determined how many troops might be sent to reinforce the existing US military presence in the region.

He disputes reports by The Associated Press and others that the Pentagon is proposing to send up to 10,000 more troops. He said reports citing specific figures were “not correct,” but he would not say whether the number under consideration was higher or lower.

“What we’re focused on right now is, do we have the right force protection in the Middle East,” Shanahan says, referring to defensive forces. “It may involve sending additional troops.”

— AP