USA accelerated transfer of landing ships and thousands of marines for a possible landing in Iran
The total number could be about 8,000 servicemen, of whom up to 5,000 are marines.
Amphibious assault ship Boxer. Photo: MCSN Craig Z. Rodarte / U.S. Navy via Getty Images
The USA has decided to accelerate the transfer of amphibious assault ships and thousands of marines to the Middle East amidst an ongoing military operation against Iran, NBC and Newsmax reported, citing informed sources.
According to them, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), comprising at least 2.2 thousand marines, will depart from San Diego earlier than planned — in the coming days. The servicemen will be stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer.
Together with it, two more amphibious transport ships — USS Portland and USS Comstock — will head towards the coast of Iran. They are to deliver F-35 fighters, missiles, and equipment for an amphibious landing on land to the destination.
The flotilla is expected to travel through the Indo-Pacific region to the Middle East, where it will join the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli. Later, the cruiser USS New Orleans and the dock landing ship USS Rushmore will join the operation.
As a result, the total number of personnel to be deployed to the conflict zone could be around 8,000 servicemen, of whom up to 5,000 are marines.
Earlier, sources told Reuters that the US presidential administration was considering sending additional troops to the Middle East for a ground operation against Iran. Among the options discussed are: an amphibious landing on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safe passage of tankers, sending ground units to Kharg Island, through which up to 90% of Iranian oil exports pass, and seizing Iran's existing stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.
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