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The Trump administration will keep current U.S. force levels in the Middle East in place during a new 60-day negotiation period with Iran, signaling that Washington intends to maintain military pressure while pursuing a broader agreement over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Senior administration officials said Monday that no immediate troop reductions are planned following a memorandum of understanding signed over the weekend by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials.
“We hope to draw them down, but we’re not doing that yet,” a senior administration official told reporters, according to The Hill.
Officials said any future reduction in U.S. forces will depend on Iran’s compliance with the agreement and its willingness to make further concessions regarding nuclear activities.
According to administration officials, the memorandum states that Iran will not develop, acquire, or possess a nuclear weapon. The document is expected to be released publicly in the coming days.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. military posture will remain tied to the agreement’s enforcement.
“Our military posture will be whatever it needs to be to ensure they’re compelled over these 60 days through the memorandum of understanding that they live up to what they said they would do,” Hegseth said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
The Pentagon significantly expanded its presence in the region ahead of earlier U.S. and Israeli operations against Iranian targets. At the height of the deployment, the buildup reportedly included more than 50,000 U.S. personnel, three carrier strike groups, more than 200 aircraft, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, and Marine expeditionary forces.
Administration officials argue that the military presence helped bring Iran to the negotiating table by demonstrating U.S. resolve and providing leverage during talks.
The negotiations represent the latest effort to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions while avoiding a wider regional conflict. However, officials stressed that military readiness will remain a central component of the administration’s strategy until Tehran demonstrates sustained compliance with the agreement’s terms.