US may send more troops to Middle East

The US Department of Defense is considering sending additional troops to the Middle East amid increasing tensions with Iran, US officials said.

The Pentagon is scheduled to present the plan to the White House on Thursday, yet it is unclear if the White House would approve sending all or just some of the requested forces, according to some officials who remain anonymous as the plans have not been formally announced.

Officials said the move is not in response to any new threat from Iran, but is aimed at reinforcing security in the region. They said the troops would be defensive forces, and the discussions include additional Patriot missile batteries, more ships and increased efforts to monitor Iran, an Associate Press report said.