The Defense Department announced Friday the deployment of 3,000 U.S. troops to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia “to assure and enhance the defense of Saudi Arabia.” The move comes at a pivotal point as threats continue to mount from the world’s largest state-sponsor of terror, Iran.

“As we have stated, the United States does not seek conflict with the Iranian regime, but we will retain a robust military capability in the region that is ready to respond to any crisis and will defend U.S. forces and interest in the region,” said a DOD press release.

The announcement came after an Iranian oil tanker off the shore of Saudi Arabia was hit with two missiles. In recent months, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have blamed Iran for several attacks in the region. Saudi oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and oil supplies in Saudi Arabia were the targets of those attacks. Iran however, has denied any role in those attacks.

Click here to read the press release

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