WASHINGTON: America is sending extra Marines and ships to the Center East two weeks into the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, US media reported on Friday (Mar 13).
The Wall Road Journal quoted US officers as saying the Japan-based USS Tripoli and its connected Marines are en path to the area, whereas The New York Instances reported that some 2,500 Marines aboard as many as three ships had been headed for the Center East.
CNN stated it was a Marine Expeditionary Unit – which generally consists of some 2,500 Marines and sailors – that was being deployed.
The Journal stated the request for the extra Marines was made by US Central Command, which is liable for US troops within the Center East, and accredited by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
There are already Marines within the area supporting operations towards Iran, the newspaper added.
America and Israel launched a large air marketing campaign towards Iran on Feb 28, and Tehran has responded with waves of drones and missiles in addition to assaults on ships within the Strait of Hormuz, which is used for a fifth of worldwide crude commerce.
