The U.S. Trump administration is considering deploying "thousands" of U.S. troops to the Middle East amid the war with Iran, Reuters reported on March 18. Options under discussion include deploying U.S. forces to Iranian shores as part of an operation designed to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and/or sending ground forces to seize Iran's Kharg Island, home to more than 90% of Iran's oil exports.

The ARG is comprised of the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship, two amphibious transport docks and an attached Marine Expeditionary Unit that includes more than 2,000 marines. The Pentagon has also asked the White House to approve a request for more than $200 billion in additional funding, to be authorized by Congress.