The Pentagon is considering sending additional warships to the Middle East as Iran intensifies attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
Citing US officials, the report said Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request from US Central Command (CENTCOM) to deploy part of an amphibious ready group along with a Marine expeditionary unit, a force that typically includes several warships and around 5,000 Marines.
Officials said the USS Tripoli, based in Japan, along with its Marine contingent, is already heading toward the Middle East. US Marines are currently deployed in the region supporting operations linked to the conflict with Iran.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the broader deployment strategy when asked about the potential reinforcement.
Earlier, Hegseth dismissed concerns that the conflict could lead to a prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of acting out of “sheer desperation” in the strategic waterway.
He said the United States has contingency plans to maintain commercial shipping through the strait, noting that attacks on vessels remain the main obstacle to navigation.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, through which a significant portion of global oil and energy supplies passes.
Source: Newstimehub
