Middle East: US Marines Reinforce Presence in Hormuz

Thousands of US Marines are expected to enter the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the Middle East on Friday, according to the Wall Street Journal. Approximately 2,200 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will arrive aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans.

The arrival coincides with the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of a second Marine unit, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which will deploy with the USS Boxer amphibious ready group in the coming weeks.