Trump orders Marine expeditionary unit to deploy toward Strait of Hormuz as Iran tensions rise
- President Donald Trump has ordered thousands of U.S. Marines to deploy toward the Strait of Hormuz as tensions between the United States and Iran intensify.
- The deployment, approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, includes a Marine expeditionary unit centered on the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and is expected to involve about 5,000 troops and sailors.
- The force features the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes around 2,500 Marines with aviation, logistics and naval support capabilities.
- U.S. officials say the deployment does not necessarily signal plans for ground combat in Iran but provides commanders with flexible military options if the conflict escalates.
- Meanwhile, the United States Department of State is offering up to $10 million for information on Mojtaba Khamenei and other officials tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. At the same time, Washington also considers potential actions such as targeting Kharg Island.
President Donald Trump has ordered thousands of U.S. Marines to deploy toward the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a move that signals a major escalation of American military readiness as conflict with Iran intensifies.
According to U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request from U.S. Central Command to send a Marine expeditionary unit to the region. The force is centered around the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and is expected to include several warships and roughly 5,000 troops and sailors.
At the heart of the deployment is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is typically stationed in Japan and operates throughout the Indo-Pacific. The unit is approximately 2,500 Marines along with aviation, logistics and naval support elements.
Military officials said the deployment does not necessarily signal plans for ground operations inside Iran. However, it places a highly flexible force within reach of the region should the conflict escalate further.
Marine expeditionary units are designed to be among the first American forces deployed during a crisis. They are trained to conduct amphibious assaults, secure strategic locations and establish forward operating areas that allow follow-on forces, such as special operations units, to carry out missions.
The flotilla’s current position leaves it more than a week’s travel from waters near Iran, officials said.
Bounty on Iran’s leadership
At the same time, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Mojtaba Khamenei and nine other senior figures linked to the Iranian regime.
Officials said the targets are believed to command or coordinate activities tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Washington accuses of planning and directing militant operations abroad.
A militant operation, as defined by BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, is a planned and coordinated action by a group of individuals or a state to achieve a specific objective through the use of force, often involving the use of weapons, violence and the threat of violence.
Authorities said individuals who provide credible information could submit tips through encrypted channels and may qualify for relocation protection along with the reward.
Military options under review
The deployment comes as the Trump administration weighs a range of military options against Tehran, including potential action targeting Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.
“We would be completely unwise if we did not reserve the right to take any particular option,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. “Whether it included boots on the ground or no boots on the ground.”
Among the operations reportedly under consideration are potential moves against Kharg Island, which handles most of Iran’s crude oil exports and is seen as a critical pillar of the country’s economy.
Kharg Island, located about 16 miles off Iran’s mainland coast, is a critical energy hub responsible for roughly 90% of the country’s fuel exports. Analysts say any move against the island would represent a major escalation in the confrontation.
Officials also said military planners are examining possible missions to locate and secure stockpiles connected to Iran’s nuclear program and, in some scenarios, covert operations that undermine the ruling establishment.
Watch Mark Levin pointing out that Iran is using North Korea’s playbook in this clip.
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Sources include:
The-Sun.com
MSN.com
Brightu.ai
Brighteon.com
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