US troops en route to the Middle East

(Patria) - The United States will send additional forces and a dozen combat aircraft to the Middle East in the coming weeks in response to what the Pentagon calls a threat of attack on the US and American interests in the region by Iran, agencies report.

US President Trump stated on Friday that 1,500 soldiers will have an 'essentially defensive' role. On the same day, Pentagon officials blamed Iran and its allies for the first time publicly for recent explosions on tankers near the Emirates, as well as a rocket attack on Iraq.

Vice Admiral Michael Gilday stated that the US is 'very confident' that Iran's Revolutionary Guard is responsible for the explosions on four tankers, and that Iranian allies fired rockets at Baghdad. He also said that this is based on intelligence and evidence gathered in the region.

Tensions between the US and Iran, which have been ongoing since the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, have significantly escalated in the past month, alarming the US Congress, which is demanding evidence and details, fearing that the US is moving towards open conflict.

At the same time, the US has sold $7 billion worth of ammunition and other military support to Saudi Arabia, citing the threat from Iran as the reason, writes the British Guardian.

The US administration's move has met with mixed reactions. The chairman of the House Committee on Military Services, Democrat Adam Smith, called the development 'disturbing'.

- Leaders on both sides have called for de-escalation of tensions. At first glance, this move is not appropriate. Without a clearly articulated strategy, increasing personnel and systems is not wise, it appears aggressive and crude, and could further increase tensions with Iran, Smith believes.

After withdrawing from the nuclear deal last year, the US administration reimposed economic sanctions against Iran, arguing that such an approach would weaken Iran's capacity to develop nuclear weapons.

European countries that regularly do business with Iran have been threatened with sanctions if they continue to do so, writes the Guardian.