https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49777672Saudi Arabia oil attacks: US to send troops to Saudi Arabia.
The US has announced plans to send forces to Saudi Arabia in the wake of attacks against the country's oil infrastructure.Secretary of Defence Mark Esper told reporters the deployment would be "defensive in nature". Total troop numbers have not yet been decided.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have said they were behind the attacks against two oil facilities last week.
But the US and Saudi Arabia have both blamed Iran itself.
What are Trump's options on Iran?
Why would Iran raise the stakes by attacking Saudi?
BBC reporter tours damaged Saudi oil facility
Earlier on Friday, President Trump announced new sanctions against Iran while signalling he wanted to avoid military conflict.
"I think the strong person approach, and the thing that does show strength, would be showing a little bit of restraint," he told reporters in the Oval Office.
The fresh sanctions, which Mr Trump described as "highest level", will focus on Iran's central bank and its sovereign wealth fund.
What did the Pentagon say?
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates requested assistance, Mr Esper said.
He said the US forces would focus on boosting air and missile defences and would "accelerate the delivery of military equipment" to both nations.