The United States has ordered the extension of thousands of troops and military assets across the Middle East through 2027, signalling that Washington no longer expects a swift resolution to its conflict with Iran. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised the extensions, which affect Army units including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division (one of the US military's primary rapid-response forces), air-defence batteries, fighter squadrons, and Navy personnel — part of a regional force that currently totals around 50,000 troops and 19 warships. The open-ended framework raises concerns about military readiness, as analysts warn that repeated extended tours risk exhausting personnel, delaying equipment maintenance, and diverting resources from longer-term modernisation efforts in Europe and the Pacific.