(191014) -- TEHRAN, Oct. 14, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Oct. 14, 2019. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that his country does not endorse Turkey's approach to the current issues in northern Syria. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) (Photo by Xinhua/Sipa USA)
IRAN-TEHRAN-ROUHANI-PRESS CONFERENCE
By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic Writer
The Pentagon is considering sending several thousand additional troops to the Middle East to help deter Iranian aggression. A Pentagon official says Defense Secretary Mark Esper intends to make changes to the number of troops deployed in the region, amid reports of escalating violence in Iran and continued meddling by Tehran in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the region. National security adviser Robert O’Brien says President Donald Trump is open to sending more troops. Options under consideration could send between 5,000 and 7,000 troops to the Middle East, but officials stress that no final decisions have been made.
