The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are departing from the U.S. West Coast ahead of schedule, according to the officials. They are expected to pass through the Indo-Pacific region to the Middle East following orders to bolster the U.S. military presence in the region.
The group includes the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, as well as the amphibious transport dock ships USS Portland and USS Comstock. Around 4,000 service members are aboard the three ships, 2,500 of whom are Marines. They are equipped with F-35 fighter jets, missiles, and amphibious vehicles for potential landing operations.
The ships are to join the USS Tripoli, which is already heading to the Middle East, according to sources. Other ships, including the USS New Orleans and USS Rushmore, may join them later. Overall, this could increase the U.S. grouping in the region to approximately 8,000 troops, including 4,000 to 5,000 Marines.
Amid this, U.S. media continue to speculate about potential further U.S. actions, particularly around Iranian islands critical to Tehran's oil infrastructure. At the same time, Washington has not officially announced these plans.
Middle East escalation
A joint U.S. and Israeli operation against the Iranian regime began on Feb. 28. Airstrikes eliminated Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel, as well as at Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Attacks on U.S. military bases were also recorded.
The Iranian military stated on March 6 that they launched a missile strike on the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. According to them, this was the second attack, though the U.S. itself did not confirm the information.
Also on March 6, Trump said that no deal will be made with Iran, as Washington demands only Tehran's unconditional surrender.
Later, Iranian state media reported that the eliminated Ali Khamenei was succeeded as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iranian authorities stated on March 18 that the U.S. and Israel struck the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf.
That same day, Iran attacked major energy facilities in neighboring Persian Gulf countries. Iranian missiles struck the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar — the country's main energy hub and the world's largest liquefied natural gas center.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran against further attacks on Qatar on March 19. Specifically, he threatened the potential destruction of the entire South Pars gas field.