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US Deploys More Marines to Middle East; Trump Considers Reopening Strait of Hormuz
US Deploys Additional Marines to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
The United States is deploying thousands more US Marines to the Middle East, including an additional 2,200 Marines. This move comes as the Trump administration weighs options on how to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. New video footage shows the USS Boxer and two other massive Navy amphibious ships departing San Diego, carrying ground forces, fighter jets, Ospreys, and attack helicopters. The US has already struck more than 7,000 targets inside Iran, and this deployment is sparking speculation of possible ground operations. Options include seizing Iran's Kharg Island, the hub of the country's oil economy, or carrying out raids on the Iranian coastline.
Trump Criticizes NATO Allies, Addresses Middle East Escalation
President Trump has blasted America's NATO allies, calling them "cowards" for not helping to secure the Strait of Hormuz. He stated they complain about high oil prices but don't want to help open the strait. French President Emmanuel Macron said France is ready to help escort ships once the situation calms down. Meanwhile, attacks across the Middle East are intensifying with Israel and Iran trading airstrikes. Debris from an Iranian missile crashed into Jerusalem's Old City, injuring several people, and Iranian drones also hit a Kuwaiti oil refinery. These events have caused global oil prices to hover around $108 a barrel, with US gas prices up 98 cents a gallon since the war began. The Pentagon reports at least 232 US troops injured (10 seriously) and 13 US service members killed. A US-based monitoring group states over 1,300 Iranian civilians and 1,100 Iranian military personnel have been killed. Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has claimed the US strategy is flawed and backfiring. Trump also stated in response to Pope Leo's push for a ceasefire, that he does not want to do a ceasefire when he is "obliterating the other side."
*Source: YouTube: ABC News (2026-03-21)*
