WASHINGTON — The United States has deployed thousands of additional troops, including Marines, to the Persian Gulf region as military operations against Iran continue into their second month, according to Pentagon officials.
The reinforcements include more than 2,500 Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and its accompanying warships, along with elements from other units. These forces join an existing U.S. military presence in the Middle East estimated at between 40,000 and 50,000 service members across bases in countries such as Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. The deployments support ongoing airstrikes and naval operations in the Gulf.
The buildup follows the start of the conflict on Feb. 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iranian military sites, nuclear facilities, air defenses and senior leadership. Subsequent operations targeted assets on Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal located about 25 kilometers off the Iranian coast in the northern Persian Gulf. While oil infrastructure on the island largely remained intact, naval and missile facilities were hit.
Iran responded with missile launches and actions that sharply reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that normally carries about 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade. Traffic through the strait has fallen dramatically, contributing to a sharp rise in oil prices, with Brent crude exceeding $115 per barrel.
U.S. Central Command has described the deployments as necessary to protect shipping lanes, support allies and maintain pressure on Iranian military capabilities. The forces provide options for further operations if required, though no ground invasion of Iran has been launched.
The conflict has extended to other fronts, including Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah and Houthi missile attacks from Yemen toward Israel. Diplomatic efforts, hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad, have continued with the aim of reaching a ceasefire, but no agreement has been announced.
As of Monday, the additional U.S. troops were integrating into regional commands. Naval and air assets remain on heightened alert in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, while talks between the parties through intermediaries proceed without a resolution.
