The Pentagon is deploying 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Middle East aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, escalating military presence amid tensions with Iran. The USS Boxer, carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, will sail from California via the Indo-Pacific, arriving in three to four weeks. This follows President Trump's contradictory statements about troop deployments in the region.

The deployment includes advanced military assets such as F-35 fighter jets, Osprey helicopters, and amphibious combat vehicles, positioning the US for potential operations targeting Iranian oil infrastructure. With the Strait of Hormuz handling 20% of global oil flows, these troops could secure critical energy routes or seize facilities like Kharg Island. The US military presence will grow from 50,000 to nearly 60,000 personnel in the region.

The military buildup increases risks to global energy markets, with potential disruptions to oil supplies driving price volatility. The Pentagon confirmed A-10 Warthogs and AH-64 Apaches are engaged in combat operations, with attack jets targeting Iranian vessels and helicopters shooting down drones. This escalation occurs amid conflicting statements from US officials about ground troop deployment options.