Reuters reports that the deployments involve an amphibious assault ship, the USS Boxer, and its Marine Expeditionary Unit. The officials said no decision had been made to send troops into Iran, but they will build up the capacity for potential future operations in the region. One official said the troops were departing the US west coast about three weeks ahead of schedule.
Trump said on Friday, “I don’t want to do a ceasefire.” He added that the US does not need the Strait of Hormuz, and he once again called on countries to assist in the strait.
Trump said: “Europe needs it. Korea, Japan, China, a lot of other people. So they’ll have to get involved a little of that.”
Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public since assuming the role. Iranian media reported that he released a statement on Friday for the start of the Persian New Year.
In the statement, Khamenei said the conflict began after the enemy assumed that killing leaders could create fear and despair among the people, and ultimately dominate and divide Iran. He thanked the people for creating a vast defensive across the country and delivering a confusing blow.
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