Updated March 24, 2026 / 6:42 PM EDT — CBS News
The Pentagon is preparing to send elements of the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran moves into its fourth week, two sources told CBS News. The movement will include a command element and some ground forces, and officials say the total number of troops expected to deploy will be under 1,500.
CBS News reported last week that U.S. leaders were planning such a deployment and that senior military commanders had submitted specific requests to prepare for possible ground operations. The preparations come as the U.S. continues an intensive air campaign in Iran. U.S. Central Command says more than 9,000 combat flights have been conducted, striking over 9,000 military targets — including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters and intelligence facilities, ballistic missile sites, missile-defense systems, military production facilities and Iranian naval vessels.
President said Tuesday he is weighing the use of ground forces while separate, direct negotiations with Iran are taking place. He named participants he said were involved in talks: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and “a number of people.” The president added, “The other side, I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal.” Iran has publicly dismissed reports of direct negotiations, calling them “fake news” being circulated to calm oil markets.
When asked about the expected 82nd Airborne deployment, the Pentagon referred questions to the White House. A White House spokesperson responded that formal announcements about troop movements would come from the Department of Defense.
Additional U.S. forces are already heading to the region. Three warships and roughly 2,200 Marines from a Marine expeditionary unit departed California last week — the second Marine Expeditionary Unit sent since the war began on Feb. 28.
Topics: Iran; United States Army; United States Military; Department of Defense