The US Department of Defense is sending more Marines and Navy ships to the Middle East amid rising tensions near the Strait of Hormuz.
US officials said that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request from CENTCOM to send part of an amphibious ready group along with a Marine unit to the region.
The move comes as Iran has stepped up attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for global oil shipments.
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), normally based in Japan, has been ordered to move toward the Middle East.
The MEU provides a wide range of military capabilities, including advanced aircraft such as F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft.
The deployment is intended to strengthen US military presence in the region and provide commanders with more options if the situation becomes more serious.
