Thousands more U.S. troops sent to Iran

The deployment of 2,000 troops, along with some 4,500 Marines already en route, brings the total number of ground forces sent to the Middle East since the conflict began to nearly 7,000, marking a new escalation

~2,000 PARATROOPERS:

Drawn from 82nd Airborne Division’s quick-reaction brigade of ~3,000 soldiers known as Immediate Response Force, capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours

Contingent comprises two battalions of ~800 troops each, along with division commander, Maj. Gen. Brandon R. Tegtmeier (right), and supporting staff

Elite forces could be used to seize Iran’s main oil export hub of Kharg Island or help secure Strait of Hormuz

IRAN
SAUDI ARABIA
KUWAIT
IRAQ
OMAN
UAE
QATAR
BAHRAIN
Strait of Hormuz
Kharg Island
Gulf of Oman
Persian Gulf
100km
60 miles

~4,500 MARINES:

Some 2,200 troops from 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and similar number from 11th MEU aboard USS Boxer

USS TRIPOLI (America-class, LHA-7)
Length: 257m
Displacement:
40,500 tonnes
USS BOXER (Wasp-class, LHD-4)
Length: 257m
Displacement:
45,000 tonnes

About 50,000 troops already assigned to overall Operation Epic Fury from across Middle East, Europe and U.S.

Sources: Reuters, NYT, CENTCOM
Picture: U.S. Central Command
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