The Pentagon is sending an expeditionary unit of U.S. Marines to the Middle East amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, which, according to sources, has been blocked by Iranian armed forces.
According to informed sources, the troop transfer is being carried out at the request of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for the operations of American forces in the Middle East. The decision to deploy the unit was approved by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
According to sources, the standard composition of the marine expeditionary group usually includes several military ships and up to five thousand military personnel. Such forces are designed for rapid response to crises, conducting amphibious operations, and ensuring security in strategically important regions.
One of the ships involved in the operation is the American amphibious ship USS Tripoli, which is based in Japan. According to sources, it is already heading to the region along with marine units. At the same time, some American marines are already in the Middle East and may be involved in possible operations.
Amid escalating tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump had previously allowed for the possibility of conducting a ground operation against Iran if the situation required it. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated in a comment to NBC that the American leader traditionally "keeps all options open."
At the same time, in an interview on March 5, Trump called a possible ground operation a "waste of time," stressing that, in his opinion, Iranian armed forces are already significantly weakened.
As noted by The Wall Street Journal, the transfer of American forces is happening against the backdrop of increasing attacks by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil transportation route. The strengthening of the U.S. military presence in the region is seen as a measure to deter further escalation and protect the strategically important maritime corridor.