Top advisers to President Trump met at the White House late last week to consider possible steps, including military action, as officials spoke of “credible threats” by Iran or Iranian proxy forcesto U.S. personnel. The Pentagon already has moved an aircraft carrier, strategic bombers and other military assets to reinforce U.S. forces across the Middle East.
Officials said the options include increasing the number of troops in the region, currently between 60,000 and 80,000, to more than 100,000, in the most dramatic scenario were Iran to attack U.S. interests or make clear moves to develop a nuclear weapon.