Trump weighs deploying 10,000 extra troops to Middle East, defense official says | 26 March 2026 | The Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East, a senior defense official said Thursday. While the official told Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin that it was not yet clear which units would be mobilized, the new deployment would be “in addition to the 1,500 troops deployed from the 82nd Airborne.” Earlier Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed he was placing a hold on strikes against Iran’s energy sector for another 10 days, until April 6. The pause is intended to allow time for ceasefire negotiations to take place. Pakistan is reportedly mediating the talks between the two nations.