US deploys Marines and warships to Middle East as Iran threatens tourism sites

WASHINGTON/DUBAI – The United States is sending thousands of additional Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, officials said Friday, as the conflict involving Iran continues to widen and threaten global energy supplies.

According to U.S. officials, around 2,500 Marines will be deployed alongside the USS Boxer and accompanying warships, though their exact mission has not been disclosed. Two officials said no decision has been made on whether to commit ground troops inside Iran.

The deployment comes as the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, remains largely closed to shipping following the outbreak of war nearly three weeks ago between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The conflict has already killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and triggered widespread attacks on energy infrastructure across the region. Oil prices have surged by about 50% since February 28, raising fears of a global economic shock.

In an effort to stabilize markets, the Trump administration said it would temporarily waive sanctions on Iran to allow the sale of 140 million barrels of oil stranded on tankers. Similar steps had earlier been taken to ease restrictions on Russian oil exports.

On the ground, hostilities continued to intensify. Israel said it carried out two major waves of airstrikes targeting weapons production sites and ballistic missile infrastructure in Tehran and central Iran. In response, Iran launched multiple missile attacks, setting off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Israeli police said fragments from an Iranian missile landed just outside Jerusalem’s Old City, a site sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. No casualties were reported.

Elsewhere in the region, Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by drone attacks that ignited fires in parts of the facility, marking the latest in a series of strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure.

Amid the escalation, Iran has also issued a broader warning beyond the battlefield, threatening to target tourist and recreational sites globally in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli actions. Iranian military officials said parks, resorts, and other public leisure areas could become unsafe for their adversaries, raising fresh international security concerns.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was nearing its military objectives, including weakening Iran’s armed capabilities and preventing it from developing nuclear weapons. He also criticized NATO allies, calling them “cowards” for refusing to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz while the conflict continues.

Several U.S. allies have expressed willingness to support efforts to secure maritime routes, but countries such as Germany and France have said any involvement would depend on a cessation of hostilities. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to discuss the issue with Trump.

The United Kingdom has authorized the United States to use its bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites targeting shipping in the strait.

Meanwhile, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a defiant message during the Nowruz celebrations, praising what he described as the country’s unity and resistance. His absence from public view since the start of the conflict has raised questions among intelligence officials about his condition and leadership.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched missile strikes on Israeli cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv, and carried out drone attacks on U.S. military bases in the region. There was no immediate confirmation from U.S. forces.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency also reported that Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Ahmadi, had been killed, adding to a growing list of high-ranking officials reportedly targeted in Israeli operations.

Despite weeks of sustained attacks, U.S. and Israeli officials acknowledge that Iran retains the capacity to retaliate, even as its military resources have been significantly degraded.

Global energy markets remain under pressure. Brent crude hovered near $110 per barrel on Friday after sharp gains a day earlier, as supply disruptions continue to mount. An estimated 12 million barrels per day, about 12% of global demand, have been cut due to halted exports and reduced output from Gulf producers.

The impact is expected to be prolonged, with analysts warning that lost supply could take months or even years to fully replace.

As the conflict drags on, the risks of further escalation, including threats extending beyond military and energy targets, continue to grow.