US Deploys More Troops to the Middle East, May Seize Khark Island - 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to Arrive in Middle East on the 27th

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 23rd that the U.S. military’s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and its amphibious warships will arrive in the Middle East region on the 27th.

The report pointed out that this day coincides with the final deadline reset by U.S. President Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Citing two U.S. officials, the report said the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, and their onboard 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit of more than 2,000 personnel will enter the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility for Middle East operations on the 27th, though it will take a few more days to reach the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a report by the U.S. Naval Institute News on the 23rd, the USS Tripoli is currently docked at Diego Garcia port in the central Indian Ocean.

On the 21st, Trump posted a threat to Iran on social media, demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, or else all kinds of power stations would be destroyed. On the 23rd, he again posted on social media, saying that the United States and Iran have had very good and productive talks over the past two days, and that the U.S. will delay air strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure by five days.

Considering Deploying Paratroopers for Support

In addition, The New York Times reported on the 23rd that the Pentagon is considering drawing a combat brigade of about 3,000 troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to support military operations against Iran, possibly to seize Khark Island—the hub of Iranian oil exports.

Pentagon officials stated that this force would come from the 82nd Airborne’s Immediate Response Force, capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

Citing U.S. officials, the report said the military is also considering another plan to seize Khark Island, which would involve an assault by about 2,500 troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit currently heading to the Middle East. After an initial attack on the island, a brigade from the 82nd Airborne could take over and rotate in.

The report said neither the Pentagon nor Central Command has issued any related orders regarding the seizure of the island.

Khark Island is located in the northwest Persian Gulf, about 25 km from the Iranian coast, measuring about 6 km long and 3 km wide. It is Iran’s largest crude oil export terminal, with 90% of Iran’s oil exported from there. On the 13th, the U.S. military carried out strikes against military targets on the island.