US President Donald Trump is sending more US troops and military equipment to Saudi Arabia.
President Trump approved the deployment after last week’s attack on two oil facilities in the country – which he has blamed on Iran.
Troops and military equipment will also be sent to the neighbouring United Arab Emirates, a Saudi ally.
The country’s Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the deployment was in response to a request from the Saudis and the UAE.
He refused to rule out further deployments in the coming weeks, saying that sending the troops was a first step.
After the attacks on the Abqaiq facility and the Khurais oil fields last Saturday, President Trump said the US was “locked and loaded” to respond.
This deployment suggests he has decided against any imminent military strike against Iran after appearing to soften his words during the week.
