US sending more warships, Marines to Gulf to counter Iran’s efforts to seize commercial ships

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there. U.S. officials say Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has approved the deployment of the USS Bataan amphibious readiness group and the 26th Marine Expeditional Unit to the Gulf region. The readiness group consists of three ships, including the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship. An expeditional unit usually consists of about 2,500 Marines. Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz early this month, opening fire on one of them.