U.S. sends ~9,000 troops and a third carrier toward the Middle East

The U.S. military is sending roughly 9,000 sailors and Marines toward the Middle East aboard a carrier strike group and an amphibious ready group, a U.S. official told the Associated Press on Thursday, as President Donald Trump said further strikes on Iran remain possible.

Forces already in theater: The carriers USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington are in the region now, along with the USS Boxer amphibious group. The Pacific-based Washington moved over to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln after a deployment AP said kept that crew at sea more than 260 days. Al-Monitor separately reported the Roosevelt left to cross the Pacific and may need two to three weeks to reach the Arabian Sea, and that the Makin Island group departed San Diego on Monday with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Trump’s comments: In a TIME interview published Thursday, Trump said it is “possible” he will ramp up bombing in Iran after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Fox News and AP reported. He told TIME the U.S. has been “stocking up” weapons for months and rejected Iran’s latest ceasefire offer as “not good enough,” citing among other points an Iranian offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. At the White House Thursday, asked about a link between Tehran and the FlyDubai co-pilot accused of trying to crash an Israel-bound flight, Trump said early indications point to “yes” but that the U.S. is “working on it,” and that if a link is established Iran would be “hit very hard.” AP noted he offered no details; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox the suspect underwent “Islamist, radical indoctrination,” also without public evidence in the wraps.

Iran’s side: Iranian officials told Reuters they are preparing a broader response if the United States resumes large-scale attacks, while still pursuing talks through Qatar. Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment to Reuters. Tehran says it is reviewing a U.S. reply to its ceasefire proposal; Trump has said he rejected the offer.

Uncertainty: Troop totals, timelines, and the three-carrier forecast rest on one anonymous U.S. official. Whether the Roosevelt relieves a carrier or overlaps, and for how long, is not settled in public reporting. Trump’s suggested Iran–FlyDubai link and any retaliation decision are unconfirmed. Iranian retaliation planning described to Reuters is attributed to anonymous officials.

Primary: Associated Press (Konstantin Toropin, Michelle L. Price / Aamer Madhani et al.), Oct 1, 2026 — ~9,000 troops; >7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines; Theodore Roosevelt CSG with USS Chosin; Makin Island ARG with John P. Murtha and Anchorage; three-carrier possibility by late October; Bush + George Washington + Boxer already in theater; Lincoln relief context; Trump White House comments on possible FlyDubai–Iran link and retaliation; TIME interview on post-midterm bombing and rejected ceasefire. Fox News (Morgan Phillips), Oct 1, 2026 — TIME “possible” bombing line, arsenal restock quote, Rubio/delegation context. Al-Monitor reprint of Reuters (Parisa Hafezi), Oct 1, 2026 — Iranian officials on broader retaliation planning if U.S. resumes large-scale attacks, while diplomacy continues; Foreign Ministry no immediate comment. Fortune AP reprint used for complete wire text. Troop figures and carrier timeline rest on a single anonymous U.S. official speaking to AP. Iran–FlyDubai link is Trump’s attributed claim; AP notes no details; Netanyahu’s “indoctrination” claim is likewise attributed and unproven in the wraps.