The United States Marine Corps is deploying around 2,200 Marines along with an additional warship to the Middle East, according to U.S. officials cited by media reports on Friday.
Officials said the deployment involves a Marine Expeditionary Unit consisting of roughly 2,200 troops aboard three amphibious assault ships operated by the United States Navy. The force is being redirected to the region amid escalating tensions.
The unit involved is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is permanently stationed in Japan and typically operates under the United States Indo-Pacific Command. It has now been ordered to move toward the Middle East.
U.S. sources clarified that the deployment does not necessarily mean the Marines will be used as ground forces in Iran, but the unit provides land, amphibious, and air capabilities that could be made available to military commanders if required.
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