US Marines deploy to Middle East as Hormuz deadline nears
- Reports say thousands of US Marines are heading to the Middle East as Hormuz deadline nears.
- Deployment follows rising tensions with Iran over restricted oil transit through the strait.
Thousands of US Marines are expected to deploy to the Middle East in the coming days as a deadline set by Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters.
Planned Military Deployment
Officials said around 2,200 Marines, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and the transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD-18), are set to enter the US Central Command’s area of responsibility by Friday.
In the coming weeks, another Marine unit based aboard the USS Boxer (LHD-4) is also expected to head toward the region.
Reuters separately reported that the Pentagon may deploy additional troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division, though details on timing and location remain unclear. The US military referred inquiries to the White House, which has not commented.
Hormuz Tensions Escalate
The deployments come after Iran restricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz on March 2, warning it could target vessels attempting to pass without coordination. The move followed ongoing US-‘Israeli’ military escalation.
The strait is a critical global chokepoint, with about 20 million barrels of oil passing through daily. Its closure has already driven up shipping costs, insurance premiums, and global oil prices.
Diplomatic Signals and Threats
Trump said Monday that “very good and productive” talks had taken place with Iran, a claim later denied by Iranian officials. He also confirmed delaying planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure by five days.
Earlier, Trump warned that if Iran does not fully reopen the strait within 48 hours, the United States would begin targeting energy facilities.
The situation highlights a growing risk of broader conflict in the region, with military buildup and economic pressure converging around one of the world’s most vital energy routes.
