Dubai: U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering “winding down” military operations in the Middle East even as Washington deploys more troops to the region. The United States is sending three amphibious assault ships and about 2,500 Marines, officials confirmed.
The announcement came as Iran threatened to target tourism sites in Gulf countries, raising fears of attacks on civilian infrastructure. The warning followed funerals in Tehran for Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib and his family, killed in Israeli strikes earlier this week.
The conflict between Iran and Israel has entered its third week, with Iran escalating drone and missile strikes on Gulf energy facilities and Israel hitting Iranian gas fields. Trump’s remarks highlight the contradictory U.S. strategy of signaling a possible wind-down while expanding military presence.
Regional analysts warn that Iran’s threats to tourism hubs could severely impact Gulf economies, which rely heavily on visitors during holiday seasons. The U.S. deployment underscores Washington’s intent to secure allies even as Trump speaks of reducing involvement.
