February 13, 2025
US ‘plans to deploy 120,000 troops to Middle East’ if Iran attacks American forces in chilling echos of Iraq War
A force of 120,000 troops is on the same scale as the deployment that carried out the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A force of 120,000 troops is on the same scale as the deployment that carried out the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

THE US is planning to deploy as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East if Iran attacks American forces, a bombshell report claimed last night.

In chilling echoes of the invasion of Iraq, US defence chiefs have reportedly drawn up fresh military plans that would see a huge response to Iranian aggression.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan revealed the audacious strategy to America’s top national security aides last Thursday, according to the New York Times.

The top secret plans are said to spell out how a vast land, air and sea force would be sent to America’s regional allies bordering Iran should its foe attack US forces.

The deployment could also be sparked if Iran accelerates its work on nuclear weapons, according to defense sources – in breach of an international treaty.

President Trump’s hard-line national security adviser John Bolton is said to have ordered the heavily beefed-up military plans in response to growing tensions in the region.

Echoes Of Iraq

It is unclear if President Trump – who has tried to scale back US military involvement in the Middle East – would order the deployment.

Such a large force would be able to launch an invasion on the scale of Iraq in 2003 – and would almost certainly be met with a military response from Iran.

Mr Trump yesterday refused to play down the prospect of an all-out war.

When asked if an invasion was on the table, the president said: “We’ll see what happens with Iran.

“If they do anything, it would be a very bad mistake.”

Spokesmen for Mr Shanahan and Gen Joseph F Dunford Jr – the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff – declined to comment to the New York Times.

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See Also:

(1) Sabotage in the Gulf: First pictures emerge of damage to four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, that were ‘attacked’ off the UAE coast amid fears of looming conflict between US and Iran

(2) US orders citizens to leave Iraq ‘as soon as possible’ – warning issued as visas suspended

(3) Iran’s special marine unit sabotaged tankers. Fujairah was outside US, Saudi, UAE purview

(4) Second attack on Gulf oil: Drones drop explosives on two Saudi oil pumping stations

(5) The Golan is next after Iran hit 3 Gulf oil targets, say Rev Guards associates