File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before leaving the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on May 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

WASHINGTON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday downplayed the likelihood of sending more American troops to the Middle East amid tension with Iran, but remained open to the option.

"I don't think we're going to need them. I really don't," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he is considering deploying additional U.S. troops to the Middle East.

"I would certainly send troops if we need them," he added.

"What we're looking at is are there things that we can do to enhance force protection in the Middle East?" U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon shortly before Trump's remarks.

"It may involve sending additional troops," he said.

Meanwhile, Shanahan dismissed earlier reports on the specific number of troops that they are going to deploy. "There is no 10,000 and there is no 5,000," he said.

U.S. media reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon was expected to submit plans to the White House to send up to 10,000 troops to the Middle East.

Washington and Tehran have been locked in a war of words over the past two weeks amid escalating tension that had been stoked up following America's military buildup in the Middle East.

Iran has vowed to withstand the U.S. "bullying policies."