CNN reported that the ready amphibious group of the US Marine Corps has returned to Japan, carrying approximately 2,200 soldiers, following a deployment period in the Middle East that began with the start of the US-Iran confrontation.

These military movements come within the framework of repositioning strategic US naval vessels in various vital operational areas.

A statement from the US Navy clarified that the amphibious readiness group USS Tripoli had disembarked the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) at its base on Okinawa Island on Wednesday.

These naval vessels and military elements played a key role in implementing the initial blockade imposed by the Trump administration on Iranian ports during the past April, which included intercepting and boarding commercial ships attempting to breach the blockade.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is considered a potential force for any US ground attack on Iran or on its islands in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf.

After its departure from the Middle East, the amphibious readiness group USS Boxer (ARG) and its attached 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU), which also includes about 2,200 soldiers, continue to assist in implementing the blockade that Washington re-imposed on Iran, in addition to being ready for any potential ground contingency.

Both USS Tripoli and USS Boxer are classified as amphibious assault ships, structurally similar to mini aircraft carriers with a weight of about 40,000 tons, and they are equipped, alongside Marine elements, with amphibious transport vehicles, helicopters, and F-35B fighters.

These field developments highlight the pivotal role played by amphibious assault ships and Marine units in supporting strategic operations in the region. The continued presence of other groups such as USS Boxer demonstrates Washington's commitment to maintaining constant pressure and high combat readiness in sensitive waterways. These forces remain a key element in US military calculations regarding navigation security and containing regional crises. Observers are awaiting the implications of these naval operations on international trade movement and the security of strategic passages in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.