Marines Deploy Toward Strait of Hormuz as USMC Posture Shifts to Middle East

The Pentagon ordered USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and embarked Marines toward the Middle East to position a rapid response force near the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian attacks on commercial shipping escalate. The deployment marks a significant posture shift, placing Marine amphibious capabilities in theater for potential strait clearance operations. European allies have declined Trump's request for Hormuz coalition participation.