President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of about 5,000 U.S. Marines to the Strait of Hormuz as the ongoing conflict with Iran continues to disrupt global energy supplies.
The deployment was authorised by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who approved the movement of an amphibious ready group made up of several warships and thousands of Marines. The group includes the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), along with the transport dock ships USS San Diego (LPD-22) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18).
The United States is also sending the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response force stationed in Japan that specialises in crisis response and fast military deployments.
As part of the increased military presence, advanced aircraft such as the F‑35 Lightning II will also be deployed to the region. Officials said the request for the operation came from United States Central Command, which oversees American military activities across the Middle East.
The deployment follows major disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. Typically, around 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments pass through the narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to open ocean routes. However, maritime traffic has dropped sharply after several attacks on cargo vessels and oil tankers linked to the ongoing conflict.
During a briefing, Hegseth said Washington’s objective is to significantly weaken Iran’s military capabilities.
“We will defeat, destroy, disable Iran’s military,” he said. He added that Iran’s air force and naval forces have already suffered severe losses and claimed the country’s missile capabilities are steadily declining. According to him, Iran’s capacity to rebuild its military infrastructure is also being undermined.
The instability in the Strait has sent shockwaves through global oil markets. Insurance costs for ships travelling through the area have surged, while many tankers are avoiding the route entirely. Analysts say the disruption could represent one of the largest supply shocks in modern energy markets.
The impact is already being felt worldwide, as rising fuel prices affect consumers and governments scramble to stabilise energy supplies while the conflict continues.
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