US dispatches thousands more Marines, sailors and 3 warships to Mideast amid Kharg deliberations

Three US officials confirmed to Reuters on Friday (Day 21) that the United States military is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East, alongside three additional warships. The Guardian also confirmed the deployment, describing it as reflecting fears about the economic damage caused by Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The troop surge is distinct from the USS Boxer MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) departure from San Diego announced earlier on Day 21. The broader buildup signals Washington is actively expanding its posture for potential Kharg Island operations — the White House confirmed the US 'can take out Kharg Island at any time if the President gives the order.' Axios reported Trump is mulling an operation that could fall to US Marines to seize or blockade Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90% of Iranian oil exports. The Daily Mail noted such an operation would expose American forces to Iranian drone and rocket fire in a confined space, and would likely require further degrading Iranian military capacity around the strait first. Three warships in addition to the USS Boxer MEU raises the US naval presence in the region substantially. CENTCOM has already been directing US air operations against Iran throughout the 21-day war alongside Israeli forces.