More than 3,500 U.S. troops arrive in Middle East as Iran war intensifies

CBS News
March 28, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

US deployed 3,500 troops to Middle East as Operation Epic Fury campaign against Iran intensifies.

How This Affects You

Escalating military operations increase risk to deployed service members' families and could affect military readiness and budget priorities affecting domestic programs.

AI Summary

The U.S. military has deployed more than 3,500 troops to the Middle East as escalating tensions with Iran intensify. U.S. Central Command reported Saturday that Operation Epic Fury, which commenced Feb. 28, has struck more than 11,000 targets since its launch. The troop deployment signals a significant military escalation in the region and reflects the Trump administration's response to Iranian aggression. The operation represents one of the largest sustained bombing campaigns in recent years, underscoring the depth of the current conflict. The buildup suggests the U.S. is preparing for prolonged military operations in the Middle East rather than a limited strike.

What's Being Done

The Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, which has struck over 11,000 targets and deployed additional troop contingents.

Source Coverage Map

24 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

Overlooked Story
56% coverage
Did Not Cover (19)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP US News96ProPublica95Bellingcat95+14 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Taiwan wary that China could exploit US distraction over Middle East war - Reuters
Global

Taiwan wary that China could exploit US distraction over Middle East war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0AFBVV95cUxOQndmcm1TYkZ2Q1JZemNrcTFBR21FQmtseU56a29rTXNlRG4zXzBpaDMtbXhxZnkybEt6VXVMYjVQbDVHOUotY3h3WGhueEdPNkVGcmRvbW5JRURybndGWkRoNjdVS21iX0xPVkpTcmZ4eUVLd3F3dGRZWlQzbUt2MmQ0alB4WF80QVpKN2ZOem12dmZGN1lqTWVCbzRtVXZPM0x4QnEwODQzMTJvX1p4ZHUzZTAtS3lRbzJ1ZFBVZUNKQlptUUF5cHlPY0E2Mll5?oc=5" target="_blank">Taiwan wary that China could exploit US distraction over Middle East war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 25
Pentagon mulling diverting Ukraine defense aid to the Middle East: Report
National Security

Pentagon mulling diverting Ukraine defense aid to the Middle East: Report

The Pentagon is contemplating diverting weapons meant for Ukraine to the Middle East as the U.S. military has blown through critical munitions in its war against Iran, The Washington Post reported Thursday. The lethal aid could include air defense interceptor missiles ordered through a new NATO program, the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, through which partner…

The HillMar 26
Dollar regains ground as investors remain cautious about end to Iran war - Reuters
Finance

Dollar regains ground as investors remain cautious about end to Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxOa2hRcnZDZGZHaHhLX0NDN2VOVVdJZGVEcy0tNHFsMUlWckxNNTdGbllreGctcm55SGY3OFZKekJpWTFLeHlOckFibkpDRGw3QjRSOW9sczhuenJ0Qm40aU5jZzVweU00SDFwNkxZUkJpdUFpbWJLTUtzVjZXYVNDT1NCbmFYNm5MVVNNR3F5STUzTDZrZjFIdlRxaEpUTUJlRnN6WGRPRWhHcVpyeHdlSkNaRlQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Dollar stands tall as markets turn cautious on Middle East war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 24
Nigeria's Dangote refinery increases exports as Middle East war shakes global markets
Global

Nigeria's Dangote refinery increases exports as Middle East war shakes global markets

Nigeria's Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stepped up gasoline exports across Africa as disruptions to energy flows due to the Iran conflict squeeze traditional ​fuel ‌supply routes, curbing the cheap imports that long dominated West African ⁠markets. As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the refinery could also see a surge in European demand, especially for jet fuel. FRANCE 24's Clemence Waller has more.

AFP / France 24Mar 24
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US has linked security guarantees to ceding of Donbas
Global

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says US has linked security guarantees to ceding of Donbas

<p>Ukrainian president says peace deal proposed by US included ceding land to Russia. What we know on day 1,492</p><p><strong>The US is making its offer of security guarantees for a peace deal in Ukraine conditional on Kyiv ceding all of the country’s eastern region of Donbas to Russia, </strong>president Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Reuters in an interview. With the US focused on its own conflict with Iran, Donald Trump is applying pressure to Ukraine in an effort to bring a quick end to the four-year war triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion, Zelenskyy said. “The Middle East definitely has an impact on President Trump, and I think on his next steps. President Trump, unfortunately, still chooses a strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side,” he told Reuters. “I would very much like the American side to understand that the eastern part of our country is part of our security guarantees,” he said.</p><p><strong>Russia sought to blackmail the US by offering to stop sharing milit...

The Guardian World NewsMar 26
Ukraine war briefing: Pentagon reportedly considering whether to divert aid from Ukraine to Middle East - The Guardian
National Security

Ukraine war briefing: Pentagon reportedly considering whether to divert aid from Ukraine to Middle East - The Guardian

The GuardianMar 27
Read Next
US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports - Reuters
National Security

US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1AFBVV95cUxQaWlEeG1iQ3BYdWtGQXlGT09ieHV5cTJic05XT3pHaWpHOWtFVTBhd3I0d0o2WlhlaUZpb3RCMXVhdi1RNXRUdkpuMjU4LWJOd3NISWlnRy1aMFVCTFNGNHZ3UUljQ1RYYXdrcTl1MkJ1aDJKdE9NUHBJUWtZZVNHRmJhMmtMMV9nR1FCZ3FsN09OOE01NDBHdUVLMjNZXzNZSGNkdmo3dmVua2M5dHV4b2l2MlRDSFJFTTlMbEpOZkZ4QVl0a0FWd0VnMDRKeVBwWVd2SA?oc=5" target="_blank">US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources