Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is quietly extending US troop deployments in the Middle East, in a sign that the conflict could drag well into next year, according to people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports.

The US Navy has 19 ships, fighter squadrons, air defense units, and paratroopers operating in the Middle East, WSJ recalls, noting that the extended deployment in the region negatively affects the condition of US servicepersons and does not enable to properly maintain military equipment. Due to logistical problems, US sailors have begun to receive letters and parcels from relatives much less often, and the process of replenishing supplies has become more difficult, WSJ notes.

According to its data, US President Donald Trump privately supports the idea of declaring an end to military operations against Iran and believes that economic pressure on the Islamic Republic will enable Washington to achieve its goals. However, 50,000 US troops remain in the Middle East, WSJ emphasizes.

As the conflict drags on, the deployment of US soldiers is taking longer than planned. The standard period for combat deployment of US Air Defense Forces soldiers has increased from 9 months to up to 12 months.

The destroyers Spruance and Delbert D Black have been in the Middle East since the beginning of the US military operation, now they are participating in the US naval blockade of Iran, and their crews have been at sea for months without going ashore.

In addition, units of the 82nd Airborne Division may remain in the Middle East next year.

According to WSJ sources, the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier is being prepared for a possible deployment to the region, and its combat duty may extend until the spring of next year.