HIGHMILITARYVERIFIED
Several hundred US Special Operations forces — Army Rangers and Navy SEALs — arrive in Middle East
·Middle East (region)
Several hundred US Army Rangers and Navy SEALs arrived in the Middle East on March 29. The commandos have not been assigned specific missions but as specialized ground troops could be deployed to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz or conduct other special operations. Two US military officials confirmed the deployment.
Several hundred US Special Operations forces including Army Rangers and Navy SEALs arrived in the Middle East on March 29, according to two US military officials who spoke to the New York Times. The commandos have not yet been assigned specific missions. As specialized ground troops, they could be deployed to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz — consistent with Treasury Secretary Bessent's March 30 declaration that the US would take control of the strait 'over time' via US or multinational escort. The SOF deployment follows earlier US military build-up in the region and could support potential Kharg Island operations, Hormuz escort duties, or other special operations against Iranian naval or coastal assets. Iran has warned against any US ground presence in the region.
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Actor responses
Several hundred Rangers and SEALs deployed to Middle East; no specific missions assigned; officials: could help safeguard Hormuz
Iran has warned against any US ground operations in the region; SOF deployment consistent with what Tehran called US 'secret ground invasion planning'
Sources