US military is deploying 3 additional warships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East.

According to a report by U.S. media on the 20th, the U.S. military is deploying three more ships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East.

The report quotes U.S. officials as saying that the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, the dock landing ship USS Anchorage, and the amphibious transport dock USS Portland, along with about 2,500 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, have departed from San Diego, California, heading to the Middle East.

According to Daquan News, the USS Boxer departed earlier than planned in response to the Pentagon’s request to strengthen combat capabilities in the region. The USS Boxer is currently on the East Coast of the Pacific, about 12,000 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman, meaning it will take at least three weeks to reach the combat zone, indicating that the military has planned for a longer-term presence of Navy and Marine forces in the area.

Earlier reports by U.S. media indicated that the U.S. Department of Defense had dispatched the amphibious assault ship USS LHA-6, the USS Tripoli, from Japan to transport the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East. The USS Tripoli had already sailed to waters near Singapore earlier this week.

Additionally, according to Axios News on the 20th, the Trump administration is considering occupying or blockading Iran’s oil export hub on Kharg Island to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The report states that if approved, such actions would require more troops, and the White House and Pentagon are considering sending additional forces soon.