More US troops, equipment headed to Middle East amid Iranian threats

The Defense Department is moving extra troops and equipment to sites in the Middle East amid reports of a potential attack by Iran on Israel, officials confirmed on Friday.

A defense official said the deployments are designed to “bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for U.S. forces.” The department did not release any information on the number of troops involved or the assets being directed to the area.

Earlier in the day, White House national security spokesman John Kirby similarly declined to give specifics about U.S. military posture changes in the region but said that administration officials are monitoring the situation closely.

“We have deemed the potential threat by Iran here to be real, to be viable,” he said. “Right now our focus is on having conversations with our Israeli counterparts to make sure that they have what they need and that they’re able to defend themselves.”