The United States is continuing to deploy troops to the Middle East for potential operations, even as preparations for negotiations with Iran proceed in Pakistan, according to US officials, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

The report says new fighter jets and attack aircraft have recently arrived in the region. It also notes that between 1,500 and 2,000 troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division could be deployed in the coming days.

The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, along with its accompanying ships, left the Norfolk naval base in Virginia at the end of March and is currently in the Atlantic, while the USS Boxer, carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed its base in California in mid-March and is now in the Pacific. Both groups are expected to take more than a week to reach the Middle East.

On April 7, Donald Trump announced a two-week mutual ceasefire with Iran, saying most contentious issues had been resolved and that Washington viewed Tehran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for further talks.

The proposal reportedly includes non-aggression commitments, Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, domestic uranium enrichment, lifting of sanctions, compensation payments, and withdrawal of US forces from the region. Trump said the move followed Iran’s willingness to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran reportedly agreed to halt “defensive attacks” provided no strikes are carried out against Iran. Shehbaz Sharif, who is mediating between the sides, has invited them to talks on April 10, with Iranian state media saying negotiations are expected to be direct.