Hegseth Extends 50,000-Troop Middle East Deployment Into 2027

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order extending the American military deployment across the Middle East into 2027, according to reporting based on U.S. officials. The force is expected to remain at roughly 50,000 personnel, supported by 19 warships, air-defense systems and fighter squadrons. The extension follows months of U.S.-Iran fighting and keeps the regional buildup in place beyond 2026. The report also said President Donald Trump was privately leaning toward declaring the Iran campaign over, though no such declaration had been announced.