US Deploys Thousands of Marines and Sailors to Middle East Amid Rising Iran Tensions

More than 3,000 Marines and sailors have been deployed to the Middle East aboard the USS Carter Hall and USS Bataan to deter Iran from seizing and harassing merchant ships near the Strait of Hormuz. This deployment comes in response to recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships in the region. The US is considering offering protection to US-flagged ships and those carrying US citizens or cargo to or from the US, but no final authorization has been given yet. This deployment joins other recent military support sent to the area, including the USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters, and F-16 fighters.