This browser does not support the Video element.
Lebanon kicks Iran's ambassador out of Beirut
Lebanon declared Iran’s ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata on Tuesday, giving the appointed figure until Sunday to leave the country. The decision comes after a week of meetings between Lebanese officials and other leaders from the region, many of whom have been on the receiving end of Iranian attacks.
Thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are expected to deploy to the Middle East, according to a Reuters report.
RELATED: US military draft 2026? Here's what we know so far
RELATED: Recent polls reveal what Americans think about war in Iran
Dig deeper:
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct an airborne operation from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter onto Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 12 February 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Alvin Ca …
Between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers will head to the region, the source told Reuters.
The soldiers' deployment comes after the thousands of Marines from the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, USS Portland amphibious transport dock ship and USS Comstock dock landing ship. The ships departed their home base in San Diego last week, heading to the Middle East during Operation Epic Fury.
Reuters said the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not specify where the Army troops would go or when they would arrive.
When asked about the deployment, the U.S. military referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
Sources told Reuters no decision has been made to send troops on the ground into Iran. Before the buildup in the region, there were 50,000 U.S. troops there.
The backstory:
The 82nd Airborne is considered the Army’s emergency response force and can typically be deployed on short notice. It’s the latest addition of American troops after U.S. officials last week said thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships will be heading to the region.
While the Marine units are trained in missions that include supporting U.S. embassies, evacuating civilians and disaster relief, the soldiers of 82nd Airborne are trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.
Iran war latest
The backstory:
At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed since the U.S-Israeli attacks started Feb. 28. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed, while Israeli strikes have displaced more than 1 million Lebanese — roughly 20% of the population — according to the Lebanese government, which says 968 people have been killed. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire.
The Source: This report includes information from Reuters, The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting. FOX’s Stephanie Weaver and Heather Miller contributed. This story was reported from Orlando.