The US was planning to send additional forces to ⁠the region, including ​the USS Tripoli along with its marine expeditionary unit, two US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said.

The amphibious assault ship, currently in ​Asia, is capable of carrying fighter jets.

In total, 2,500 additional marines will be sent to the Middle East, along with additional sailors.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the deployment is being carried out at the request of US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The move comes amid Iranian threats to carry out attacks on ships and the laying of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments.

Separately, CENTCOM confirmed that US B-2 bomber aircraft have begun missions targeting Iranian military capabilities, with the objective of preventing Tehran from regaining military strength in the future.