Pentagon expected ​to send thousands of soldiers from U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to Middle East | 24 March 2026 | The Pentagon is expected ​to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two ‌people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, adding to a massive U.S. military buildup even as President Donald Trump talks about a possible deal with Tehran to end the war. Reuters first reported on March 18 that Trump’s administration was considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops, a move that would expand options ​to include deployment of forces inside Iranian territory. The soldiers ​are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. One of the sources said the Pentagon was set to send between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers.