Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of thousands of U.S. Marines to the Strait of Hormuz as tensions from the war with Iran continue to disrupt global energy supplies.
The deployment was approved by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who authorised the movement of an amphibious ready group consisting of warships and about 5,000 Marines. The group includes the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, along with the transport dock ships USS San Diego and USS New Orleans.
The United States is also deploying the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a mobile crisis-response force based in Japan that specialises in rapid military operations and emergency deployments.
The operation will bring advanced aircraft, including the F‑35 Lightning II, into the region as part of the enhanced military presence. Officials told media outlets that the request for the deployment came from United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations across the Middle East.
The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, faces severe disruption. Roughly 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments normally pass through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. However, maritime traffic has been significantly reduced after attacks on cargo ships and tankers linked to the ongoing conflict.
During a briefing, Hegseth stressed that Washington intends to weaken Iran’s military capabilities.
He said: “We will defeat, destroy, disable Iran’s military.” He added: “But it’s not just that Iran doesn’t have a functioning Air Force, or that their entire Navy is at the bottom of the Persian Gulf, or their missile force is shrinking daily.” Hegseth continued: “They also don’t have the ability to build more. That’s the most important component I’d like to emphasise today.”
The disruption in the Strait has pushed oil markets into turmoil. Insurance premiums for ships travelling through the region have surged while many tankers have avoided the route altogether. Analysts say the instability has already triggered one of the largest supply disruptions in modern energy markets.
The situation has had ripple effects globally, with rising fuel prices affecting consumers in multiple countries as governments and energy agencies attempt to stabilise supplies while the conflict continues.