US orders 2,200 Marines on three warships to Middle East
A Marine expeditionary unit carrying about 2,200 Marines aboard three US Navy amphibious ships has been ordered to deploy to the Middle East, two US officials told ABC News, as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed due to Iranian missile and drone attacks.
The Japan-based amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the Marines assigned to it are now heading toward the Middle East as part of the reinforcement, The Wall Street Journal reported citing US officials.
Marine expeditionary units are designed for rapid-response missions and typically operate from amphibious assault ships capable of supporting a wide range of military operations, from crisis response to combat deployments.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the region, to deploy elements of the amphibious ready group along with an attached Marine expeditionary unit, the WSJ report said.
