US deploys amphibious assault ship and 2,500 Marines from Japan to Middle East
- Input
- 2026-03-14 08:29:20
- Updated
- 2026-03-14 08:29:20
USNI News, a publication of the U.S. Naval Institute, reported on the 13th (local time) that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and a Marine expeditionary unit deployed in Japan are heading to the Middle East. About 2,500 Marines are moving from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East aboard up to three warships. The troops are expected to join roughly 50,000 US forces already stationed in the region.
After Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen and maritime transport has been disrupted. In this situation, the US administration is also considering a naval convoy operation to protect commercial vessels if necessary. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent told the United Kingdom (UK) broadcaster Sky News the previous day that losses to the United States from disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have reached 11 billion dollars, adding that escorts could begin soon.
However, analysts note that a Marine expeditionary unit can carry out a wide range of missions beyond amphibious assaults, including reinforcing embassy security, evacuating civilians, and providing disaster relief. For that reason, they say the deployment does not necessarily mean that ground combat operations are about to begin.
As clashes with Iran have continued for more than two weeks, some of the forces of United States Forces Korea (USFK) have already been sent to the Middle East, and now units from United States Forces Japan (USFJ) are also being shifted there. This has raised concerns that, if the war drags on, the defensive posture of US forces in the Indo-Pacific could be weakened.
clean@fnnews.com Lee Jeong-hwa Reporter