Thousands Of US Marines To Arrive In West Asia The Same Day As Trump’s Hormuz Deadline

Last Updated:March 24, 2026, 11:57 IST

Thousands of US Marines are being deployed to West Asia amid conflict.

The US Navy’s USS Tripoli is a massive amphibious assault vessel. (Image: AFP/File)

Thousands of United States Marine Corps personnel are expected to arrive in West Asia on Friday as regional tensions mount and US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The Japan-based amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD-18) are expected to enter the area overseen by United States Central Command on Friday, carrying about 2,200 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Officials said the force will need several more days to reach the Strait of Hormuz.

Further, the Pentagon has also ordered another formation to the region. The California-based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed aboard the USS Boxer (LHD-4) amphibious ready group, is expected to depart in the coming weeks to reinforce US presence in the conflict-stricken region.

A separate report by The Washington Post said the US is sending roughly 4,500 sailors and Marines, including an infantry battalion landing team supported by helicopters, F-35 fighter jets and armored landing vehicles to West Asia.

The deployment is widely seen as strengthening amphibious capabilities in the Gulf and signaling possible steps to secure shipping lanes and pressure Iran’s oil export network, particularly around Kharg Island. An Israeli official cited in the report suggested the buildup indicates a clear operational intent to assert control over key maritime routes.

“Those Marines aren’t coming for decoration,” the official said, adding that the plan is “to take the island and the strait,” referring to Kharg Island, Iran’s principal hub for exporting petroleum.

Control over Kharg Island could significantly reduce Tehran’s oil revenue and potentially shift the balance of pressure in the ongoing conflict, while also enabling Washington to demonstrate that shipping routes remain open, the report mentioned.

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