2,500 US Marines sent to Mideast as Iran war keeps pressure on oil prices

[spanone]

In a major troop increase, the U.S. is deploying elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit and an amphibious assault ship, according to an AP source who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans. However, it does not necessarily indicate that a ground operation is imminent or will take place at all.
https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-03-13-2026

[Red Mountain]

1. Gonna need more Marines

unless they're just gunning for Kharg Island. Maybe more just for that.

90% of Iran's oil passes through it. It's probably pissing Trump off Iran is still moving some oil on their ships and Chinese carriers while locking down the rest.

[patphil]

2. Oh shit! Here we go, and only 2 weeks into the war.

I sure hope we don't do this, but it seems inevitable that there will be US boots on the ground in Iran.
It's gonna be a long hot summer for the republicans if we do this.
If our military is taking casualties in a land war this summer, the Democrats will take back both houses of Congress.

[D_Master81]

3. I thought we won

I could’ve swore that Trump said we’ve won the war. Why are we escalating?

[D. Spaulding]

4. He's taking a lot of criticism for the Straits of Hormuz situation and

his ego can't take that. He has to lash out and feign toughness. My guess is that it's a takeover of Kharg Island.