Additional U.S. troop deployment to Middle East confirmed, analyst says

The United States has deployed additional military personnel to the Middle East dispite Washington’s claims that it is not preparing for a ground operation against Iran, according to Iran specialist Vardan Voskanyan.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington has no plans to launch a ground offensive against Iran. However, Voskanyan stated the increased troop presence suggestst otherwise.

“The deployment of additional U.S. forces to the Middle East is a fact,” he said in a social media post, adding that the buildup may indicate that developments are not unfolding in line with expectations in Washington and its ally Israel.

Voskanyan says Iranian expert circles are considering possible responses should a ground incursion occur, including asymmetric measures.

Among the scenarios being discussed is the opening of a land corridor from southwestern Iran toward U.S. military bases in Kuwait, potentially with the support of Iran-aligned groups in Iraq. Another option under consideration, he said, involves targeting bases of anti-Iranian groups in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.