US Marines Unit Leaves Middle East After Iran Blockade Role

A contingent of 2,200 US Marines has concluded its operations in the Middle East and returned to Japan after being deployed in the region during the early days of the American conflict with Iran.

The amphibious readiness group USS Tripoli completed the landing of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) at its base on Okinawa Island, Japan, on Wednesday, according to CNN.

These ships and Marine forces played a central role in enforcing the initial blockade imposed by the Trump administration on Iranian ports in April, including boarding commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is described by CNN as "the potential force for any US ground attack on Iran or its islands in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf."

Following the unit's departure from the Middle East, the USS Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group and its attached 11th MEU, also comprising roughly 2,200 troops, remain engaged in supporting the blockade Washington has reinstated on Iran, while maintaining readiness for any possible ground emergency.

The USS Tripoli and USS Boxer are amphibious assault ships essentially functioning as small aircraft carriers, each weighing approximately 40,000 tons.

In addition to the US Marines, these vessels carry watercraft for troop transport to shore and aircraft including helicopters and F-35B fighter jets.