The Wall Street Journal reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has extended the deployment of some of the country’s forces in the Middle East until 2027

The Wall Street Journal reported that Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, has extended the deployment of some of the country’s forces in the Middle East until 2027. About 50,000 U.S. troops are still present in the region.

The U.S. currently has 19 warships in the region, including two aircraft carriers and 13 destroyers, along with air defense units, fighter jets, and paratrooper forces. Their missions include intercepting missiles from the Islamic Republic, protecting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and implementing the blockade of Iran.

The newspaper wrote that Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has discussed in private conversations the announcement of an end to the war, but believes that continued economic pressure could force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear program or lead to the collapse of the government.

The Wall Street Journal added that last month Trump reviewed options including increasing airstrikes and deploying ground forces to seize Iranian islands.

The prolongation of the missions has increased pressure on the U.S. military, and experts have warned that continuing this level of presence could affect the repair and maintenance of U.S. equipment and military capability in other parts of the world.