As Diplomats Talk, Pentagon Prepares for Possible War With Iran

When Mr. Trump threatened last month to strike Iran, the Pentagon was poorly positioned to back him up. Some 30,000 to 40,000 American troops scattered around the Middle East and eight permanent bases lacked adequate air defenses, while additional fighter jets needed for a sweeping operation were idling at bases in Europe and the United States.

Much of the military hardware accumulated over two decades of war had departed the region. Senior national security officials pressed for a pause to allow the Pentagon to rebuild its ability both to attack and to defend in the 11 countries that could be vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

In the weeks since, the military has been assembling the “armada” Mr. Trump said was headed to the region: eight guided-missile destroyers, land-based ballistic missile defenses and submarines capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles. Diplomats and regional leaders have begun talks even as U.S.

Iran, Middle East

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