More U.S. Troops Arrive in Middle East

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Luke Vargas (0:33)

As more US troops arrive in the Middle East, we'll look at how the Iran War escalated over the weekend and check in on Pakistan's bid to negotiate an end to fighting.

Donald Trump (0:41)

I do see a deal in Iran, yeah?

SPEAKER_1 (0:44)

Mr. President.

Donald Trump (0:44)

Could be soon.

Luke Vargas (0:45)

Plus, Europe hunts for sources of gas beyond the Middle East. And as checks start arriving for some TSA workers, it could still take days for airports to return to normal. It's Monday, March 30th. I'm Luke Vargas for The Wall Street Journal, and here is the AM Edition of What's News, the top headlines and business stories moving your world today.

A new unit of more than 2,000 US troops has arrived in the Middle East. National Security Correspondent Shelby Holliday says that the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit puts a number of options on the table for President Trump as he weighs whether to intensify the US war effort.

Shelby Holliday (1:23)

A Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MU, consists of about 2,200 Marines and sailors that operate out of three warships. They're often referred to as the military's Swiss Army Knife, and they are in high demand around the world. For one, the MU could be used to raid or seize islands that have been militarized by Tehran, like those that sit in the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane that Iran has essentially shut down. The unit could also be part of an effort to seize Karg Island, which is a launch point for 90% of Iran's oil exports. It's also possible the Marines could play a role in a convoy effort to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Alternatively, strategists say Marines could play a role in seizing ships that are carrying Iranian oil, similar to what we saw with Venezuela. But there's another thing to consider here. The MU could be used as military deception and basically draw Iran's attention to the Marines while some other operation is launched.

Luke Vargas (2:17)

Well, one such mission that Trump is considering would involve seizing almost a thousand pounds of uranium from Iran, a complex task that could put American forces inside the country for days or longer. We report that Trump hasn't made a decision on whether to give the order, but remains open to the idea since it could prevent Iran from making a nuclear weapon in the future. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said it was the Pentagon's job to draft a range of options for the president and that it didn't mean he had made a decision. The Pentagon didn't comment on the potential operation, and a spokesman for US. Central Command declined to comment. Meanwhile, the war escalated on several fronts over the weekend, with Yemen's Houthi rebels attacking Israel for the first time on Saturday, following through on a threat to intervene unless the US and Israel ended fighting. Israel said that it intercepted a pair of drones from Yemen overnight, as it continues to face missile and rocket fire from Iran and Hezbollah. The Houthi attacks come as Israel has begun rationing its high-end missile interceptors, hoping to preserve supplies of its most capable defensive weapons after four weeks of fighting. And aluminum prices are soaring after Iran struck a pair of key producers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Aluminum Bahrain said it's assessing damage to its facility, while the owner of the Emirati plant said it had sustained significant damage. Excluding Iran, the Gulf smelted about 8% of the world's aluminum last year. While hoping to end the war, Pakistan is pushing to get the US and Iran to the negotiating table. Its offer to host potential talks comes after it helped Washington to pass a US peace plan on to Iran last week, and marks a return to prominence for a country once isolated by Washington for harboring Osama bin Laden, and which was dismissed by Trump in his first term as being a bad faith actor.

Pakistan's foreign minister yesterday described the relationship as being on more solid ground.

SPEAKER_5 (4:12)

Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict.