{"id":4977,"date":"2026-03-15T10:16:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T10:16:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conservative-politics.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/15\/all-eyes-on-the-strait-of-hormuz-is-america-about-to-move-on-irans-coastline\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T10:16:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T10:16:30","slug":"all-eyes-on-the-strait-of-hormuz-is-america-about-to-move-on-irans-coastline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/conservative-politics.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/15\/all-eyes-on-the-strait-of-hormuz-is-america-about-to-move-on-irans-coastline\/","title":{"rendered":"All Eyes On The Strait Of Hormuz \u2014 Is America About To Move On Iran\u2019s Coastline?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The United States is reportedly expanding its armada in the Middle East, sending warships and thousands of Marines toward the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial vessels disrupt traffic through the critical shipping lane that carries roughly one-fifth of the world\u2019s oil supply.<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved a request to deploy an Amphibious Ready Group and an attached Marine Expeditionary Unit consisting of several warships and thousands of Marines and sailors, The Wall Street Journal <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An Amphibious Ready Group typically includes an assault ship, two transport docks, and a support vessel carrying an embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,200 Marines, along with additional aircraft, according to The War Zone.<\/span><\/p>\n

At a press briefing on Friday, Hegseth acknowledged the challenges posed by Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and stated confidently that \u201cwe don\u2019t need to worry about the strait.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIran is exercising sheer desperation in the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d Hegseth said. \u201cIt\u2019s something we are dealing with and have been dealing with, and we don\u2019t need to worry about the strait.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the report, the Japan-based USS Tripoli and its embarked Marines are heading toward U.S. Central Command\u2019s area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East and the waters surrounding the Persian Gulf.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photos released March 12 by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command show sailors aboard the USS Tripoli conducting live-fire exercises ahead of the deployment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Navy said the training was intended to \u201csharpen warfighting proficiency and ensure U.S. naval forces remain ready to operate across the Indo-Pacific.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sailors aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA 7) conduct a live-fire exercise, March 12, 2026.<\/p>\n

Routine live-fire training sharpens warfighting proficiency and ensures U.S. naval forces remain ready to operate across the Indo-Pacific. \ud83c\udf0f\u2693<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd U.S. 7th Fleet AOR
\ud83d\udcf8 MC3 Colten Bradley\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/JoNx9ICfwN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) March 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The USS Tripoli is an America-class amphibious assault ship operating alongside the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and destroyer USS Rafael Peralta, <\/span>according to the Navy<\/span><\/a>. Launched in 2017, the ship can carry F-35B fighter jets, MV-22 Osprey aircraft, and helicopters while supporting amphibious assaults and Marine Expeditionary Unit operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Military analysts say such a force could be used for a range of missions if tensions escalate, including clearing naval mines, protecting commercial vessels, or conducting operations along Iran\u2019s coastline to stop attacks on shipping.<\/span><\/p>\n

One possible target frequently discussed by analysts is Kharg Island, Iran\u2019s primary oil export terminal and a critical hub for the country\u2019s energy exports. Located about 16 miles off Iran\u2019s coast, the island serves as the loading point for <\/span>roughly<\/span><\/a> 90% of the regime\u2019s fuel exports. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cutting the regime off from Kharg Island would deal a devastating blow to Iran\u2019s economy, though seizing it may require boots on the ground and significant equipment, including air defenses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kharg Island (Photo by Elif Acar\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Despite its importance, Trump told Fox News Radio host Brian Kilmeade <\/span>on Friday<\/span><\/a> that seizing the Kharg Island was not currently a top priority.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not high on the list, but it\u2019s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,\u201d Trump said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Others have speculated that a Marine Expeditionary Unit could instead be used to secure sections of Iran\u2019s coastline to prevent further attacks on vessels moving through the strait.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hegseth pushed back on suggestions that Iran has already mined the waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world\u2019s oil supply passes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve heard them talk about it, just like you\u2019ve reported recklessly and wildly about it,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we have no clear evidence of that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also suggested the United States could soon begin escorting commercial vessels through the waterway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy belief is that as soon as it is militarily possible, the U.S. Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through,\u201d Bessent told <\/span>Sky News<\/span><\/a> on Thursday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He noted that some ships are still passing through the strait despite the tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Strait of Hormuz (Photo by Gallo Images\/Orbital Horizon\/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThere are, in fact, tankers coming through now \u2014 Iranian tankers, and I believe some Chinese-flagged tankers have come through,\u201d Bessent said. \u201cSo we know that they have not mined the straits.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, attacks on shipping have disrupted traffic through the critical waterway that is usually responsible for roughly one-fifth of the world\u2019s oil shipments. The New York Times <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that at least 16 vessels have been attacked since the war with Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shipping activity has dropped sharply as companies avoid the increasingly dangerous route. Only 77 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz so far in March as the conflict disrupts one of the world\u2019s most vital shipping lanes, according to maritime data cited <\/span>by AFP.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A Defense Department official declined to comment on the specific mission of the amphibious force. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDue to operational security, we do not discuss future or hypothetical movements,\u201d the official told The Daily Wire.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n