STORY: The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers to the Middle East from the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
That's according to two people familiar with the matter.
It would add to a massive U.S. military buildup as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues.
The move would expand options to include deployment of forces inside Iranian territory and could dramatically raise the stakes in the operation, which is already in its fourth week and has roiled global markets.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Tuesday continued to talk about a possible deal with Iran to end the war. Tehran denies the conversations have taken place.
"We're in negotiations right now. They're doing it along with Marco, JD, we have a number of people doing it. And the other side, I can tell you they'd like to make a deal."
He also said that Iran had made a major energy-related concession to the United States, describing it as a positive development, although he did not give details.
Trump suggested the gift was related to the Strait of Hormuz, the oil transit waterway that the United States has struggled to keep open.
"They gave us a present. And the present arrived today, and it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money."
The war with Iran has taken a toll on Trump's popularity. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump's approval rating has fallen to 36%, the lowest since he returned to the White House.
Americans expressed widespread disapproval of the war as they deal with a surge in fuel prices.
Only 29% of the country approves of Trump's economic stewardship, the lowest rating in either of Trump's presidential administrations and lower than any economic approval rating of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden.
