Defense Department – Page 6 – War Watch

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U.S. Circulates Iran Peace Plan While Sending Troops to the Middle East
ByDavid E. Sanger March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

The 2,000 paratroopers heading to the region may give President Trump more leverage in negotiations, but they also leave him with the option of doubling down on military force.

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Trump Had His Eye on China, Then Plunged Into a New Mideast War
ByEdward Wong March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

The Trump administration said the Middle East would “recede” in importance as the China challenge took priority. But the president started the war in Iran.

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2,000 U.S. Troops From 82nd Airborne Division to Be Sent to Middle East
ByEric Schmitt March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

The order gives President Trump more military options as he considers diplomacy with Iran. It is unclear where the soldiers will go in the Middle East.

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Trump Signals Retreat From Goal of Regime Change in Iran
ByDavid E. Sanger March 21, 2026March 21, 2026

In the first days of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, Mr. Trump pressed for a popular uprising against Tehran’s government.

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A Look at the Escalating Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
ByLuke Broadwater, Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

There are several ways the United States could attempt to reopen the waterway, all of which carry substantial risks.

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U.S. Dispatches Marines and Warships to Middle East
ByHelene Cooper March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Officials said 2,500 Marines from 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in California and the U.S.S. Boxer amphibious ready group will go in April to relieve Marines already deployed in the Persian Gulf.

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Trump Says He Won’t Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room
ByKaroun Demirjian and David E. Sanger March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

The president was cagey about his plans for Iran. He confirmed the Pentagon was seeking $200 billion to support a protracted war effort while also claiming it would be over soon.

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Trump Administration Faces Public Jitters as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran War
ByTony Romm, David E. Sanger and Michael Levenson March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel suggested that the war with Iran could end soon, but that there were still more attacks ahead.

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Pentagon Seeks Additional $200 Billion to Fund Iran War
ByHelene Cooper, Tony Romm, Megan Mineiro and Karoun Demirjian March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

The request, which the White House has not yet submitted to Congress, is already encountering some resistance.

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Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices
ByDavid E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt, Tyler Pager, Ronen Bergman and Julian E. Barnes March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

As the conflict with Iran expands and intensifies, President Trump’s options — to fight on, or to move toward declaring victory and pulling back — both carry deeply problematic consequences.

Read More Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices