The United States has deployed about 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan, and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli from Sasebo amid the war with Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, 2026. The move addresses Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil passes, as confirmed by U.S. officials.
The deployment of elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the USS Tripoli—an America-class assault ship capable of carrying F-35B jets and helicopters—to U.S. Central Command's area in the Middle East was approved by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The units, currently in the Pacific near Taiwan and more than a week from Iranian waters, specialize in amphibious operations, embassy security, evacuations, and disaster relief but do not signal an imminent ground operation, per a U.S. official speaking anonymously to the Associated Press.
The war has seen Iran launch missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf states, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime data shows only 77 ships crossed in March so far, with at least 16 vessels attacked since February 28. Hegseth stated in a Friday briefing, “Iran is exercising sheer desperation... we don’t need to worry about the strait,” dismissing mining reports. U.S. and Israeli forces have struck over 15,000 targets in Iran.
President Donald Trump warned of strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal, telling Fox News Radio, “It’s not high on the list, but... I can change my mind in seconds,” and claimed U.S. forces had 'obliterated' sites there. The White House promoted the conflict via social media, including an X post styled as 'Operation Epic Fury' with cartoonish footage and real strikes, and Trump's Truth Social post boasting of targeting enemies.
An explosion occurred at Tehran's Ferdowsi Square during a Quds Day rally with no casualties. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on Hezbollah killed nearly 800 and displaced 850,000. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned against attacks on southern islands. Oil prices have surged amid global economic strain.
CNN reported Pentagon underestimation of the strait closure, rebutted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as “100% FAKE NEWS” and Senator Tim Sheehy as false post-briefing. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted ongoing tanker traffic, including Iranian and Chinese-flagged. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi criticized U.S. aims to reshape the region.
The deployment bolsters U.S. presence, including 8,000 troops at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and 12 Navy ships in the Arabian Sea, such as the USS Abraham Lincoln.
