Pentagon orders troops to deploy to Middle East : NPR

Key Points:

• The Trump administration is preparing to deploy up to 3,000 U.S. Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, potentially increasing U.S. ground forces near Iran to 6,000-8,000 troops amid ongoing conflict.
• A draft 15-point ceasefire proposal from the U.S. calls for Iran to renounce nuclear weapons development and dismantle existing capabilities; Iran has received the proposal but Iranian officials publicly deny any negotiations are taking place.
• Iran announced it will allow "non-hostile" ships safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, excluding vessels from the U.S., Israel, and allies engaged in the war, amid disruptions that have impacted global oil and natural gas supplies.
• Israel's military continues airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in over 30 deaths in recent attacks and more than 1,000 fatalities this month, while Lebanon has withdrawn the Iranian ambassador amid rising tensions.
• The United Nations estimates the conflict has caused $63 billion in economic losses across the Arab region, with attacks damaging civilian infrastructure and raising serious concerns about violations of international law.