US to deploy additional troops to pressure Iran into agreeing to settlement

Istanbul (ANTARA) - The United States plans to deploy thousands of additional troops to the Middle East in the coming days as part of efforts to pressure Iran into agreeing to end the conflict, according to a report by The Washington Post on Wednesday.

The additional troops, reported to include around 6,000 personnel, will be assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush and its accompanying warships, according to statements from officials and former officials who spoke anonymously.

Meanwhile, around 4,200 personnel from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit of the Marine Corps will also arrive before the end of April.

This troop reinforcement is expected to strengthen the existing US military presence in the region, in line with the two-week ceasefire that will end on 22 April.

The report also mentions that the administration of US President Donald Trump is considering options for airstrikes or ground operations if the ceasefire does not hold.

Previously, over the past weekend, talks between the relevant parties were held in Islamabad, Pakistan, to end the conflict that began on 28 February. However, the discussions between the US and Iranian delegations have not yet produced an agreement.

Efforts to hold follow-up talks are still ongoing.