Trump Sends Best Of The Best Against Iran, With A More Hands-On Phase Now In Play

The Pentagon has tapped the Army’s famed 82nd Airborne Division to deploy 3,000 troops to the Middle East as the United States and Israel continue Operation Epic Fury, the joint military campaign against the Iranian regime.

Fox News Chief National Security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported on Tuesday that the move is a “first step” that would open the door for the Trump administration to shift toward ground operations in Iran, should that prove necessary. The New York Times first reported on Monday that the Pentagon was considering sending a brigade combat team to support the ongoing operations.

“Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division Maj Gen Brandon Tegtmeier and his ‘command element,’ members of his headquarters staff, have been ordered to deploy to the Middle East as the Pentagon and White House weigh whether to send the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East for possible land operations,” Griffin said, adding that speculation abounds as to whether the United States could use American operatives to take control of Kharg Island.

U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal that such a deployment would not indicate a definite decision to put “boots on the ground” in Iran, but would provide additional leverage for American military assets, should they need to take control of strategically-located islands or use force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The news comes amid competing narratives between President Trump — who said on Monday that talks with some Iranian officials had been “productive” — and officials within the Iranian regime, who say that no such talks have taken place.

The 82nd Airborne Division has long been the Army’s elite rapid-response team, specializing in airborne-assault operations and able to deploy anywhere in the world within 24 hours or less. Created in 1917 and designated as Airborne in 1942, the 82nd is known as the “All-American Division” and executed the first parachute jumps behind enemy lines in Italy in 1943. Within two years, they had parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and played a key role in halting the German offensive during the Battle of the Bulge.