With no clear end of the war in sight, three US officials told Reuters the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, along with its Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2500 Marines and accompanying warships would deploy to the region, though they did not say what their role would be.

Two officials said no decision had been taken on whether to send troops into Iran itself but this week, a US official and three people familiar with the matter told Reuters that American troops could potentially land on Iran’s shore or its Kharg Island oil export hub.

The US is sending amphibious assault ship USS Boxer to the Middle East along with 2500 Marines.The US is sending amphibious assault ship USS Boxer to the Middle East along with 2500 Marines.US Navy

Trump has said the campaign has been going according to plan but he has vented his fury at allies for declining to help open the strait while fighting continued, albeit in a conflict they were neither consulted on nor advised of.

Germany, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as NATO non-member Japan, pledged in a joint statement yesterday to join “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait”.

Reuters