Donald Trump deploys 5,000 US marines to Middle East as Iran war escalates

President Trump will seek to force a breakthrough in his bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by deploying 5,000 US marines to the Middle East.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a US Central Command request to deploy part of a Marine Amphibious Ready Group and the USS Tripoli, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The US Central Command oversees American military operations in the region.

The USS Tripoli was spotted in the Bashi Channel, between Taiwan and the Philippines as it set sail for the Middle East.

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US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to the country closing the strait.

Iran has since hit multiple vessels in the area including oil tankers attempting to pass through.

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