Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan last week presented the White House with a plan to send up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East in the event that Iran escalates tensions, according to a New York Times report.
The Times reports that national security adviser John Bolton issued an order for the plans and the proposal does not include a ground invasion, which would require many more troops.
The plan was ordered to prepare in the event that Iran attacks American forces or accelerates the development of nuclear weapons, according to the Times, citing administration officials.
It is largely driven by Bolton, who has pushed for more aggressive action against Iran under both Trump and former President George W. Bush.
It remained unclear whether Trump has seen the plan or if he would support it given his frequent push for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and Syria.
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White House reviews plan to deploy 120,000 troops to Middle East in response to tension with Iran: report https://t.co/OLpDmRlGAc pic.twitter.com/fehYM8bRCP
— The Hill (@thehill) May 15, 2019
I supported two wars against Saddam and even I think this is insane. https://t.co/kUpM7IXLFk
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 15, 2019
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