US Deploys Warships & Marines to Middle East Amid Iran Conflict & Oil Price Surge

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is deploying the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship based in San Diego, along with two other warships and approximately 2,500 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to the Middle East, officials confirmed Friday. The deployment, which comes as the war’s economic shockwaves ripple globally, is the second significant reinforcement of U.S. Forces in the region within a week, following the launch of a similar unit from Japan on Saturday.

The USS Boxer amphibious ready group, comprised of the USS Boxer, USS Comstock and USS Portland, will join the USS Tripoli and its accompanying ships, already en route through the Strait of Malacca, according to sources. The deployments are intended to bolster security for vital shipping lanes and deter further attacks on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, a region increasingly destabilized by escalating conflict.

President Trump has repeatedly called on allies to participate in a coalition to patrol the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes. However, efforts to secure international support have so far been unsuccessful, with European nations, Japan, China, and Australia declining to join the proposed initiative.

“They complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t seek to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!” Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social.

The deployments follow a series of Iranian attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East, retaliating against Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest. On Friday, Iranian Shahed drones targeted Kuwait’s largest oil refinery, although fires broke out at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, disrupting operations at the world’s largest natural gas hub. The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting Iranian missiles overnight, and Saudi Arabia warned it might respond with force if attacks continue within its borders.

Israel confirmed Friday the death of Esmail Ahmadi, a senior intelligence official in Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, in an airstrike. Ahmadi was described by officials as “one of the most important pillars” of the Basij.

Despite the escalating conflict and ongoing Israeli airstrikes, Iran has maintained a defiant stance. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, stated that American and Israeli officials could be targeted worldwide. “From now on, based on the information we have, even recreational and tourist locations around the world will not be safe for you,” Shekarchi said.

Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel, reaching a volatile fresh floor amid the instability. Financial markets have responded with sustained losses, marking Wall Street’s fourth consecutive week of declines. Investors are increasingly concerned that higher energy costs will slow economic growth and reignite inflation. The International Monetary Fund has cautioned that the conflict could further exacerbate inflationary pressures.

The Federal Reserve is now facing renewed uncertainty as it weighs whether to maintain higher interest rates for longer in response to rising energy costs.

At a White House event Friday, President Trump asserted that the U.S. Military operation in Iran was “going extremely well.” “The difference between them and us is they had a navy two weeks ago and they have no navy anymore. It’s all at the bottom of the sea,” Trump claimed. “Fifty-eight ships were knocked down in two days and we have the greatest navy in the world. It is not even close.”

The president did not take questions from reporters, but added, “We are having a hard time, we want to talk to them and there is nobody to talk to,” and stated, “We have nobody to talk to and you know what? We like it that way.”