The U.S. 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is being deployed to the Middle East to address a new Iranian threat.

Previously, "The Washington Post" mentioned that the U.S. military is relocating the U.S. Navy's amphibious assault ship "Leyte Gulf" and its attached Marine Expeditionary Force from Japan to the Middle East. This unit is the U.S. Marine Corps' 31st Marine Expeditionary Force, which includes approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines, marking a new phase in the Iranian war that has lasted more than two weeks. The unit will face an unusual combat environment—Iranian forces have the capability to mine the Strait of Hormuz, which is a challenging issue for the Pentagon. U.S. air strikes have forced Iran to abandon large warships and instead deploy high-speed fast boats equipped with mines, which can evade aerial reconnaissance and attacks. These vessels are likely to depart from a series of islands near the strait.

The U.S. 31st Marine Expeditionary Force, although relatively small compared to the 50,000 U.S. troops already deployed in the region, has strong mobility. Upon arrival, it can quickly launch surprise attacks on these islands in Iran, with its infantry conducting landings with the support of logistics and air power, but this also increases the risk of escalation. The Marines can also use electronic jamming devices aboard ships to conduct anti-drone operations and escort oil tankers and other merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces are usually deployed with multiple ships, including an amphibious assault ship with a short deck, capable of carrying MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, transport helicopters, and F-35 attack fighters. Other ships carry infantry, supporting artillery, and amphibious assault vehicles for ship-to-shore landings. A marine expeditionary force currently stationed on the U.S. East Coast is supporting operations in Venezuela, and the 31st expeditionary force has been moved from Okinawa, Japan, to the Middle East, meaning that the U.S. temporarily lacks rapid response forces in the Pacific theater. Previously, the U.S. had relocated part of its THAAD air defense system from South Korea to the Middle East, further weakening the defensive posture in the region.

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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859794328704202/

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