The first units of the U. S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have been deployed to the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the move.

According to the agency, roughly 2,500 troops have already arrived in the region. The deployment includes the forward elements of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, known as the «Devil Brigade,» along with штаб officers, communications specialists, and logistics units.

No specific mission has yet been assigned to the прибывшие силы. However, their arrival comes against the backdrop of reports suggesting preparations for a possible ground operation on Iranian territory.

Earlier, information had circulated about Pentagon plans to send up to 2,000 paratroopers to the Middle East. In parallel, more than 3,000 U. S. Marines have reached the region in recent days.

Meanwhile, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had previously indicated that Washington’s public signals about readiness for negotiations were unfolding alongside preparations for a potential ground campaign.