Pentagon Weighs Additional Warship Deployment to Middle East

The Pentagon is considering deploying additional warships to the Middle East as Iran intensifies attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Citing US officials, the report said Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request from US Central Command (CENTCOM) to deploy part of an amphibious ready group and a Marine expeditionary unit, a force that typically includes several warships and about 5,000 Marines.

Officials said the USS Tripoli, based in Japan, along with its Marine contingent, is already heading toward the Middle East. US Marines are currently deployed in the region supporting operations related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the broader deployment plan when asked about the potential reinforcement.

Earlier, Hegseth dismissed concerns that the conflict could lead to a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of acting out of “sheer desperation” in the strategic waterway.

He said the United States has contingency plans to ensure commercial shipping continues through the strait, noting that the main obstacle to navigation remains attacks on vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, through which a significant share of global oil and energy supplies passes.

Source: Newstimehub