Middle East

The U.S. has overwhelming force in the region, but war with Iran could come at a heavy cost.

Air Force Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was called back to Washington, D.C., from Europe.

In three "notice to airmen" messages, the agency prohibits flights over Iraq, Iran, the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Thousands of troops have departed for the Middle East in recent days.

It's the latest short-notice deployment in the wake of a U.S. strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

About 100 paratroopers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, were wheels up early Wednesday.

The U.S. Navy says one of its drones suffered damage during a takeoff attempt that occurred in the Middle East last month.

Lawmakers called on Defense Secretary Mark Esper to clarify the Pentagon's plans.

"Do not mistake our restraint for weakness," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.