Mar 21 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

The United States reinforces its military presence in the Gulf and sends thousands of marines

The United States is increasing its military presence in the Gulf by deploying approximately 5,000 marines and several warships amid rising tensions and suggestions of a ground operation from Israel.

The United States has begun to significantly reinforce its military presence in the Gulf region, sending approximately 5,000 marines and a fleet of warships to ensure control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This move comes in response to recent comments from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the potential need for a ground operation. The deployment includes both amphibious assault ships and additional marine units, aimed at bolstering the U.S. military footprint in an area critical for global oil transit.

As part of this strengthening military effort, a group of amphibious ships is set to depart from California alongside another contingent arriving from the Pacific. The heightened military activity also comes with intensified airstrikes by U.S. forces against Iranian military positions in coastal and island areas, a tactic designed to prevent Iran from launching missile strikes in response to U.S. actions. This shows a significant escalation in the U.S. posture in the region amid increasing tensions with Iran, which is already a focus of U.S. and Israeli military concerns.

The stakes in controlling the Strait of Hormuz—an essential route for a large portion of the world's oil supply—are high. With Iran's growing military capabilities and regional ambitions, the U.S. aims to deter any hostile moves against maritime traffic through this crucial waterway. The U.S. presence and military readiness reflect an ongoing strategic competition in the region, indicating that the situation remains volatile and could escalate further, impacting global energy markets and triggering broader regional conflicts.

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