Donald Trump to send 1,500 more US troops to Middle East as Iran tensions rise

Purpose of deployment is to enhance protection of forces already in region

Trump administration has claimed it has evidence Iran is threatening possible attacks on American interests or allies in Middle East

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US President Donald Trump speaks to the media before leaving the White House on May 14. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 1:04am, 25 May 2019Updated: 2:27am, 25 May 2019

US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of about 1,500 additional US troops to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The purpose of the deployment is to enhance protection of forces already in the region that are dedicated to missile defence, freedom of navigation in Persian Gulf waters and other objectives, according to a Pentagon notice to congressional defence committees.

Acting US defence secretary Patrick Shanahan speaks at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP

The move follows comments by acting defence secretary Patrick Shanahan on Thursday that the Pentagon was focused on having “the right force protection” in the region.

“Our job is deterrence. This is not about war,” Shanahan told reporters. “We have a mission there in the Middle East: freedom of navigation, you know, counterterrorism in Syria and Iraq, you know, defeating al-Qaeda in Yemen, and then the security of Israel and Jordan.”