The Pentagon, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, is dispatching additional Marines and naval forces to the Middle East as Iran escalates attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the decision. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request from U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the region, to deploy elements of an amphibious ready group along with a Marine expeditionary unit.
Such units typically include several warships and roughly 5,000 Marines, the officials said.
The USS Tripoli, based in Japan, and the Marines assigned to it are now heading toward the Middle East, two of the officials said. U.S. officials added that Marines are already operating in the region in support of ongoing efforts related to Iran.
It is widely speculated the marines may be used to attempt a ground operation to secure the strait of Hormuz.
This story is developing…
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