Senior officials said U.S. forces will remain in the region while Iran is tested on commitments in a new memorandum aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Trump administration will keep U.S. military forces in the Middle East at their current levels as Washington enters a 60-day negotiating period with Iran, senior administration officials said Monday.
The decision follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials over the weekend. The agreement is intended to prevent Tehran from developing, acquiring or possessing a nuclear weapon while creating a path toward a broader settlement, according to officials.
The Trump administration says the document will be released within days. Officials said any reduction in U.S. forces will depend on whether Iran follows through on its obligations and makes meaningful concessions involving its nuclear activities.
“We hope to draw [U.S. troops] down, but we’re not doing that yet,” a senior administration official told reporters, according to The Hill.
The troop decision comes as the administration seeks to preserve military pressure on Tehran while testing whether the new memorandum can lead to a more durable agreement. Trump and Vance signed the memorandum after months of conflict and negotiations involving Iran’s nuclear program, regional conduct and broader security guarantees.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that the United States will maintain whatever force posture is necessary during the 60-day period to ensure Iran complies with the memorandum.
“Our military posture will be whatever it needs to be to ensure they’re compelled over these 60 days through the memorandum of understanding that they live up to what they said they would do,” Hegseth said during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
The Pentagon expanded its presence in the U.S. Central Command region earlier this year before joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. At the height of the buildup, the deployment included more than 50,000 American service members, three aircraft carrier strike groups, more than 200 aircraft, Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division and Marine Expeditionary Units.
Administration officials said that military presence has strengthened the U.S. negotiating position by demonstrating American resolve and keeping pressure on Tehran as talks continue.
The negotiations are the latest attempt by the Trump administration to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while avoiding a wider regional war. Officials said the United States wants to reduce its military footprint eventually, but only if Iran proves it will comply with the agreement.
For now, the administration is linking any future troop drawdown directly to Iranian behavior during the 60-day negotiating window.
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