Pentagon considering sending warships to the Middle East, 2,500 Marines arriving

(Patria) - The Pentagon is sending a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East due to increased Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, writes the Wall Street Journal, citing two unnamed officials.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to send a unit numbering up to 2,500 Marines. It will be deployed near Iran and is expected to arrive from the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) located in Twentynine Palms, California.

Additionally, the Pentagon is considering sending additional warships to the Middle East for potential escort of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, in response to increased Iranian attacks, writes The Wall Street Journal.

U.S. officials state that escort missions will not begin until the threat level decreases, which is estimated to take a month or more.