Two weeks after the outbreak of war with Iran, the U.S. military is deploying 2,500 Marines to the Gulf region aboard the amphibious ship USS Tripoli, previously stationed in Japan. According to the Wall Street Journal, the deployment was requested by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East, and it was approved by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. This move signals a significant escalation in American military presence in response to the ongoing conflict.

U.S. media reports indicate plans for a ground assault aimed at capturing the island of Khark, which is considered Iran's most important oil-exporting port. Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon advisor, highlighted that capturing the island would deprive the Iranian regime of a crucial source of funding, calling it an "absolute move against Iran." This military strategy reflects a shift in the approach towards dealing with Iran, showing a readiness to target critical infrastructure to exert pressure on the Iranian government.

Moreover, President Trump recently commented on Truth social, stating that CENTCOM executed one of the most powerful bombardments in the history of the Middle East, completely eliminating every military target in the region. This illustrates the escalating military operations and increasing hostilities between the United States and Iran, as both nations brace for an uncertain future and potential military confrontations that could have widespread implications for regional stability and global oil markets.