Pentagon approves sending 2,500 Marines to the Middle East

(Patria) - The Pentagon has approved the deployment of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the Middle East, bolstering US troop levels and air power as Washington intensifies attacks on Iran alongside Israel, Al Arabiya reported.

The MEU that will be deployed will come from the Indo-Pacific, according to US officials, and will include amphibious ships and fighter jets.

An Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit, also known as ARG/MEU, consists of about 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors.

The Wall Street Journal quoted US officials who said the USS Tripoli, based in Japan, and its associated Marines are en route to the region.

The Journal cited that the request for additional Marines was made by the US Central Command, which is responsible for US troops in the Middle East, and approved by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

Marines are already in the region supporting operations against Iran, the newspaper adds.