2nd Marine Expeditionary Unit of around 2,200 Marines, 3 warships headed to Middle East as Iran war continues
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- A second Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,200 Marines and three warships is en route to the Middle East amid ongoing conflict with Iran, departing from California earlier this week.
- The first Marine unit, including the USS Tripoli—an advanced amphibious assault ship capable of carrying F-35 jets and Ospreys—remains on its way from the Pacific to the region.
- Amphibious Ready Group-Marine Expeditionary Units have been previously deployed for operations such as the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and continue to conduct drug interdiction and oil cargo ship interceptions in the Caribbean.
- President Biden denied plans to deploy U.S. ground troops in the Middle East, stating he is not sending troops and
