New York Times says US special operations forces arrive in Middle East

Hundreds of U.S. special operations troops have arrived in the Middle East and joined thousands of Marines and paratroopers already deployed in the region, The New York Times reported, as Washington weighs broader military options in the war with Iran.

The newspaper, citing two U.S. military officials, said the deployment is intended to give President Donald Trump more battlefield options as tensions with Iran continue to rise. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the forces could be used in missions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, Kharg Island or other strategic targets.

According to the report, one possible mission would involve helping secure the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that has been at the center of the current crisis. The strait normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments, and prolonged disruption there has already rattled energy markets and trade flows.

The officials also said the forces could potentially be used in an operation involving Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, which has emerged as a strategic focus in recent U.S. rhetoric. Any move involving the island would mark a major escalation in a conflict that is already reshaping security calculations across the Gulf.

Another scenario outlined in the report involves Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including a possible mission related to enriched uranium stockpiles at the Isfahan nuclear facility. While no decision has been publicly announced, the suggestion underscores the expanding range of military contingencies now under discussion in Washington.

The reported deployment comes at a time when the U.S. military footprint in the Middle East is already substantial. More than 50,000 American troops are currently in the region, according to U.S. officials and recent reporting, as the Pentagon strengthens deterrence and prepares for possible escalation.

The broader regional environment remains highly volatile. Iran has warned against any ground operation, while maritime traffic through Hormuz remains heavily disrupted despite limited efforts to restore passage for some non-hostile vessels. Several ships have turned back or remained stranded, reflecting the continued insecurity in the Gulf.

The military build-up is also unfolding against the backdrop of growing diplomatic activity. Pakistan has stepped up mediation efforts and hosted regional talks aimed at reducing tensions and reopening Hormuz, but there is still no clear sign of a breakthrough between Washington and Tehran.

If confirmed, the arrival of U.S. special operations forces would signal that Washington is preparing not only for deterrence, but also for highly targeted missions that could quickly widen the conflict.

For now, the reported troop movement highlights how the war is increasingly shifting from air and missile exchanges toward scenarios involving strategic infrastructure, energy security and potentially direct ground-linked operations.

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