Pentagon might send 10,000 U.S. troops to the Middle East

As tensions between the Islamic Republic and the U.S. mount, the Pentagon might increase US army presence in the Middle East.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
A US soldier looks out of an army helicopter near West Mosul, Iraq June 21, 2017 (photo credit: REUTERS)
A US soldier looks out of an army helicopter near West Mosul, Iraq June 21, 2017
(photo credit: REUTERS)

The Pentagon is considering a request to send 10,000 additional US troops to the Middle East, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, citing two US officials. A similar report by Reuters claimed the number is 5,000. 

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the request had been made by US Central Command. 
They added that it was not clear whether the Pentagon would approve the request.
The Pentagon regularly receives, and declines, requests from combatant commands throughout the world for additional resources.
One of the officials said the requested troops would be "defensive in nature."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that Iran's youth will witness the demise of Israel and American civilization.

Calling American culture "degenerate," he went on to say that America and Israel are the "enemies of humanity."