2nd Marine Expeditionary Unit of around 2,200 Marines, 3 warships headed to Middle East as Iran war continues

Washington — A second Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,200 Marines and three warships is headed toward the Middle East, as the war with Iran continues. 

The unit departed California earlier this week, according to two U.S. officials. The first one, which is coming from the Pacific, is still making its way toward the region, and this second unit may take a few weeks to be in place. 

The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship that had been deployed to Japan, is part of the first group. It’s the most updated of the amphibious warships, known as a “big deck,” which allows more room for F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets, Ospreys and other aircraft. 

An Amphibious Ready Group-Marine Expeditionary Unit was last used when the USS Iwo Jima was involved in the operation removing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power. The group is also involved in drug interdiction and oil cargo ship interception and remains deployed in the Caribbean.

On Thursday, the president dismissed questions about American boots on the ground in the Middle East. 

“No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office. “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. But I’m not putting troops.”