U. S. President Donald Trump is seriously considering expanding military operations against Iran as Washington reinforces its presence in the Middle East, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.

The United States is sending additional troops, medical personnel and weapons to the region, giving Trump broader military options as he weighs a possible escalation of the conflict.

Over the past week, U.S. special operations forces have been deployed to the Middle East, while fighter squadrons have been positioned at several military bases. B-1 bombers stationed in Britain are also being prepared for potential involvement in large-scale combat operations.

One U.S. official told the newspaper that more than 150 medical workers had arrived at the main military hospital in Germany, which treats service members wounded during operations in the Middle East.

The military buildup comes after U.S. forces resumed strikes on Iran during the night of July 8, accusing Tehran of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities described the American action as a breach of earlier agreements and responded by striking U.S. military bases in the region.

The renewed confrontation began only about three weeks after the signing of a memorandum that had been presented as an important step toward ending the conflict.