US expected to send thousands more soldiers to Middle East

Trump weighs next steps

Sources had previously said the US military was looking at options in the Iran war including securing the Strait of ​Hormuz, potentially by deploying US ⁠forces to Iran's shoreline.

The Trump administration has also discussed options to send ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90 per cent of Iran's oil exports, Reuters has reported.

The 82nd Airborne Division, which can deploy within 18 hours of receiving orders, specializes in carrying out parachute assaults.

The US has carried out ⁠strikes against ​9,000 targets inside Iran since US and Israeli military operations against Iran started on February 28.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)