US Sends 1,000+ 82nd Airborne Troops to Middle East Amid Continued Operations

At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division were ordered to deploy to the Middle East in the coming days, three sources with knowledge of the plans told the Associated Press, signaling continued US military commitment to the theater. White House Press Secretary Leavitt warned Iran it will be 'hit harder than they have ever been hit before' if it fails to accept the military reality. The escalation comes as Iran-backed Iraqi militias claimed 291 total attacks since the war began.