Chicago – March 13, 2026
The Pentagon has dispatched approximately 2,500 US Marines aboard the USS Tripoli and supporting vessels to the Middle East, bolstering forces amid the ongoing war with Iran. This Marine Expeditionary Unit, from the Japan-based 31st MEU, responds to Iran’s intensified attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, which have paralyzed shipping through this vital chokepoint for 20% of global oil.
Approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at U.S. Central Command’s request, the deployment adds to over 50,000 American troops already in the region supporting strikes against Iran. Iranian assaults, following U.S. and Israeli bombardments since late February, have defied expectations of quick capitulation.
The escalation keeps pressure on oil markets, with Brent crude surging nearly 9% to over $100 per barrel despite IEA releases from strategic reserves. Gas prices in the US are rising, posing economic and political challenges for President Trump as disruptions threaten global supply chains.
