Shanahan approves additional troops, aircraft to Middle East

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said today he has approved the deployment of additional troops and aircraft to the Middle East.

"Today, I informed Congress that I approved the combatant commander's request for the deployment of additional resources and capabilities to the Middle East to improve our force protection and safeguard U.S. forces given the ongoing threat posed by Iranian forces, including the [Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps] and its proxies," Shanahan said in a statement. "The deployment will include approximately 1,500 U.S. military personnel and consist of a Patriot battalion to defend against missile threats; additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft; an engineer element to provide force protection improvements throughout the region; and a fighter aircraft squadron to provide additional deterrence and depth to our aviation response options.

"The additional deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is a prudent defensive measure and intended to reduce the possibility of future hostilities," he continued. "I remain committed to ensuring U.S. personnel have the force protection resources they need and deserve."

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) called the deployment "unsettling."

"While requests from CENTCOM should always be taken seriously, our posture in the region should be scrutinized if it does not fit into a broader strategy," he said. "Without a clearly articulated strategy, adding more personnel and mission systems seems unwise, and appears to be a blatant and heavy-handed move to further escalate tensions with Iran.

"Leaders from both sides of the aisle have called for de-escalation," Smith continued. "At first blush, this move does not fit the bill. I look forward to hearing from Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan how this decision complements a broader strategy in the region, which focuses on de-escalation and diplomacy first."

Committee Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (R-TX) said in a statement that the information and warnings the U.S. government has collected on Iran "are not 'business as usual.'"

"It is important that we make clear to Iran, in words and actions, that they cannot attack us with impunity," he added. "I understand that there is a temptation to view everything through a political lens, but a request from a commander on the ground for additional force protection should never be subject to a partisan debate. This is a prudent step to protect our forces and deter Iran. Surely that is something every American can support."