Pentagon Sends Marine Expeditionary Unit To Middle East, Oil Spikes On Ground War Fears
by Tyler Durden
Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 - 02:05 AM
Summary:
- Iran reportedly approves Indian government sending two liquefied petroleum tankers through Hormuz
- Japan-based USS Tripoli and its attached Marines headed toward Middle East
- WSJ says Pentagon sends Marine expeditionary unit to Middle East. Oil jumps higher
- Pentagon has just confirms two additional deaths in Thursday's downing of a KC-135 refueling tanker aircraft over Western Iraq: all six US crewmembers are deceased.
- Trump and the Pentagon claim the US and Israel are "totally destroying" Iran as the war enters day 14, with Trump warning Tehran to "watch what happens" and "I am killing them" and "what a great honor it is to"
- Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly alive but wounded, "damaged," and "disfigured"
- France and Italy open talks with Iran in hope of securing safe Hormuz Strait passage, FT reporting
- Hegseth briefing: US and Israel have hit more than 15,000 enemy targets since conflict began
- Several senior Iranian officials have been openly marching through the streets of Tehran today even amid smoke from US-Israeli bombing lingers in background.
- CENTCOM: four of six crew members aboard a US refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq have died. Active search and rescue operation underway
- Strategic risks remain high as Iran reportedly begins laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, though oil eased slightly after India said one tanker successfully exited the strait.
* * *
Update(1105ET): Are we really doing this (again)? The WSJ is reporting a breaking bombshell which suggests US ground forces could be introduced, or else this could also be about securing other areas of the Gulf region:
The Pentagon is moving a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East, as Iran steps up its attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, according to two U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from U.S. Central Command, responsible for American forces in the Middle East, for the expeditionary unit, typically consisting of up to 2,500 Marines, the officials said.
A follow-up update by WSJ appears to offer confirmation:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from U.S. Central Command, responsible for American forces in the Middle East, for an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines, the officials said.
The Japan-based USS Tripoli and its attached Marines are now headed for the Middle East, two of the officials said. Marines are already in the Middle East supporting the Iran operation, the officials said.
The headline was enough to cause oil to immediately jump higher:
President Trump and the Pentagon have claimed that the US and Israel are "totally destroying" Iran as the war enters day 14. Trump warned Iran to "watch what happens" in a social media post, claiming the United States is "totally destroying" the country militarily and economically as the conflict enters its second week.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: "We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise, yet, if you read the Failing New York Times, you would incorrectly think that we are not winning. Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth."
via AFP
He continued: "We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today. They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!"
War Secretary Pete Hegseth meanwhile claimed Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and disfigured. According to Reuters, Trump said he believes Khamenei is alive but "damaged." He also spent a lot of time complaining about media coverage: "This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage. CNN doesn't think we thought of that? It's a fundamentally unserious report," Hegseth said. "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better." Doubling down...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. and Israel have hit more than 15,000 enemy targets since the Iran conflict began and that the regime’s new supreme leader is likely wounded, as he doubled down on the war’s impact on Iranian military capabilities.
Mojtaba Khamenei - whose father, Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the war after strikes by the United States and Israel - has not appeared publicly since being selected by a clerical assembly. His first comments were read on state television.
On the ground in Tehran, thousands gathered in Enqelab Square in a show of defiance as fighter jets roared overhead and multiple explosions shook the capital. Additional blasts were reported in the nearby city of Karaj.
According to Dropsite News journalist Jeremy Scahill:
War Secretary Pete Hegseth just claimed that Iranian leaders have gone underground and are hiding, saying "that's what rats do." Meanwhile, several senior Iranian officials have been openly marching through the streets of Tehran today even as US-Israeli bombing continues.
Oil prices edged lower after India said one of its tankers had exited the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes some shipping may resume. But CNN reports the Pentagon and the National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to shut the strait during planning for the operation.
On the battlefield, Israel said it launched a new "extensive wave" of strikes on Tehran while issuing evacuation orders, as attacks also intensified around Beirut. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that 11 Iranian cluster missiles penetrated Israeli defenses, with one dispersing about 70 bomblets over central Israel.
In Oman, two people were killed after a drone was shot down in Sohar province, according to state media. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted eight more drones over the kingdom, including near Riyadh.
United States Central Command said four of six crew members aboard a US refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq have died. It has an active search and rescue operation underway
NATO also confirmed it intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey the third such alleged interception since the war began. "NATO remains vigilant and stands firm in its defense of all allies," NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.
Ongoing evidence of severe damage in the heart of Tel Aviv and elsewhere in Israel:
As for the Lebanon front, during a visit to Beirut, Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to "stop the war." He said "My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war and… allow Lebanon to become a country independent… where its authorities have the monopoly on use of force." He added: "This is no longer the time of armed groups… This is the time of strong states."
According to the Wall Street Journal, Israeli officials now believe Iran's ruling system is unlikely to collapse soon, despite heavy strikes. US intel reports even before Trump ordered the war had forecast as much. Separately, the New York Times reported that Iran has begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz using thousands of small naval vessels.
As for European involvement, an Iranian Shahed drone strike in Iraq’s Erbil killed a French soldier, 42-year-old Arnaud Frion, and wounded several others, according to French military officials. Germany also signaled it will not join naval protection efforts in the Strait of Hormuz. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit to Norway: "Germany is not part of this war and we do not want to become part of it."
He continued: "We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today. They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!"
War Secretary Pete Hegseth meanwhile claimed Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and disfigured. According to Reuters, Trump said he believes Khamenei is alive but "damaged." He also spent a lot of time complaining about media coverage: "This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage. CNN doesn't think we thought of that? It's a fundamentally unserious report," Hegseth said. "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better." Doubling down...
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. and Israel have hit more than 15,000 enemy targets since the Iran conflict began and that the regime’s new supreme leader is likely wounded, as he doubled down on the war’s impact on Iranian military capabilities.
Mojtaba Khamenei - whose father, Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the war after strikes by the United States and Israel - has not appeared publicly since being selected by a clerical assembly. His first comments were read on state television.
On the ground in Tehran, thousands gathered in Enqelab Square in a show of defiance as fighter jets roared overhead and multiple explosions shook the capital. Additional blasts were reported in the nearby city of Karaj.
According to Dropsite News journalist Jeremy Scahill:
War Secretary Pete Hegseth just claimed that Iranian leaders have gone underground and are hiding, saying "that's what rats do." Meanwhile, several senior Iranian officials have been openly marching through the streets of Tehran today even as US-Israeli bombing continues.
Oil prices edged lower after India said one of its tankers had exited the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes some shipping may resume. But CNN reports the Pentagon and the National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to shut the strait during planning for the operation.
On the battlefield, Israel said it launched a new "extensive wave" of strikes on Tehran while issuing evacuation orders, as attacks also intensified around Beirut. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that 11 Iranian cluster missiles penetrated Israeli defenses, with one dispersing about 70 bomblets over central Israel.
In Oman, two people were killed after a drone was shot down in Sohar province, according to state media. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted eight more drones over the kingdom, including near Riyadh.
United States Central Command said four of six crew members aboard a US refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq have died. It has an active search and rescue operation underway
NATO also confirmed it intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey the third such alleged interception since the war began. "NATO remains vigilant and stands firm in its defense of all allies," NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.
Ongoing evidence of severe damage in the heart of Tel Aviv and elsewhere in Israel:
As for the Lebanon front, during a visit to Beirut, Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to "stop the war." He said "My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war and… allow Lebanon to become a country independent… where its authorities have the monopoly on use of force." He added: "This is no longer the time of armed groups… This is the time of strong states."
According to the Wall Street Journal, Israeli officials now believe Iran's ruling system is unlikely to collapse soon, despite heavy strikes. US intel reports even before Trump ordered the war had forecast as much. Separately, the New York Times reported that Iran has begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz using thousands of small naval vessels.
As for European involvement, an Iranian Shahed drone strike in Iraq’s Erbil killed a French soldier, 42-year-old Arnaud Frion, and wounded several others, according to French military officials. Germany also signaled it will not join naval protection efforts in the Strait of Hormuz. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit to Norway: "Germany is not part of this war and we do not want to become part of it."
Ten days into Epic Fury and the world mocks 47, saying “you can’t win lah, your End Game is unachievable, you cannot effect regime change without US boots on the ground marching into Tehran etc etc.
ReplyDeleteThis is after 10 days.
But the same people tell Falastinians “carry on even after 80 years of abject Failure, From the River to the Sea Falastin Will Be Free, we will march in our boots into Tel Aviv and exterminate all the cockroaches”
Thus is after 80 years.
Very Aneh Logik.
Aneh logic, yrself mfer.
DeleteThis war is determined by consistency & stamina. Both of which the Yankee/zionist state lack kawx2!
Accept the right of Isaac’s for Self Determination (1 tiny country the size of Perak) as Ishmaels have the same (all 50 countries, size of Russia) sign the Ibrahim and Cyrus accords and Peace will come.
ReplyDeleteThe End Game for the Falastinians has failed for 80 years. Their Boots in Tel Aviv is as likely as 47 visiting Tehran next week.
the existence of the zionist state within the land of Levant is akinded to a minuscule sand embedded inside the eye.
DeleteNo one would ever tolerates its presence.
Be gone & good ridden!
What other country has one day dedicated for the Death and Destruction of another country that is legitimate? And for 50 year they beat their chest screaming Death to You?
ReplyDeleteShould that country be allowed to have thousands of missiles, drones and nuklear boms?
mfer, u have NEVER heard of that f*cked Yasukuni Shrine in Japan!
DeleteFriday the 13th was Al Quds Day, started by Ayatollah in 1979.
ReplyDeleteIsaac had no quarrel with Iran before 1979.
ReplyDeleteNone.
But after 1979 IRGC started to terrorize Isaac via various proxies and directly. Today they use Hezbolala, Harm-ass, Hooters etc.
If IRGC can use proxies to fight Isaac then Isaac can use the Kurds to fight IRGC.
Fair And Square.
Fair And Square?
DeleteFrom history, Cyrus the Great's policies established a long-standing tradition of, at times, favorable relations between Persian authorities and the Jewish community under their rule.
Yet, true to the shylocky nature of the Jews, the Persians were played out & sold off multiple times!
Ooop… yr mfering zionist his-story never told u that!
Zelensky met with Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi
ReplyDeleteThe Shahzadeh expressed hope that Ukraine and Iran will be allies in the future.
They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, the state of power in Iran, and public sentiments.
https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/2032514527158481379?s=46
two irrelevant midgets ultilising each other!
DeleteIn every other country the Tripoli would be considered an aircraft carrier.
ReplyDeleteSo now it is four.
BREAKING:
The U.S. is deploying 2,200 Marines and three amphibious warships from Japan to the Middle East, led by the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group:
USS Tripoli (LHA-7)
USS San Diego (LPD-22)
USS New Orleans (LPD-18)
The deployment includes roughly 20 F-35B Lightning II.
The USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are based out of Sasebo and Okinawa, Japan.
https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2032503715022909827?s=46
wakakakaka… mfer, the Yankee has 11 aircraft carriers. But many r old & in the state of mothballing.
DeleteEven the latest Ford, is a maritime naval disgrace.
Perhaps, it's about time someone helps the yank to scrap them appropriately
Germany is already a part of Epic Fury. They allow Western Bully access to their bases there (unlike UK and Spain).
ReplyDeleteOvernight March 9–10, 2026, Iranian ballistic missiles struck(Muwaffaq Salti) in Jordan, hitting a building used by German troops.
The contingent normally consists of about 100 personnel, although numbers had already been reduced due to the security situation.
No casualties were reported, as all personnel had taken shelter before impact.
#IranWar #Jordan #OSINT
remember the warning - any military bases used to attack Iranian territories r fair target
Delete