President Trump will seek to force a breakthrough in his bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by deploying 5,000 US marines to the Middle East.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a US Central Command request to deploy part of a Marine Amphibious Ready Group and the USS Tripoli, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Marines are already present in the Middle East, US officials told the paper.
The US Central Command oversees American military operations in the region.
The USS Tripoli was spotted in the Bashi Channel, between Taiwan and the Philippines as it set sail for the Middle East.
US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to the country closing the strait.
Iran has since hit multiple vessels in the area including oil tankers attempting to pass through.
The United States has already sought to dampen the impact of the strait’s closure by loosening some sanctions on Russian oil.
The President has threatened Iran with more action
|REUTERS / GETTY
Downing Street railed against the decision and called upon allies to maintain pressure on the Kremlin.
No 10 said Britain remained committed to bringing “maximum” financial strain on Moscow and that the “best way” to stop the country from supporting hostile actors was through collective efforts to end the Ukraine war.
RAF jets extended their action to Bahrain after the Middle East conflict spiralled this week, with Tehran launching multiple attacks on Gulf states.
Its continued blockade of the vital shipping lane is part of its retaliation to ongoing US-Israeli strikes.
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No 10 fears the US is helping line Putin's pockets
| REUTERSOil prices have jumped to about 100 dollars per barrel, threatening higher inflation worldwide.
In a bid to curb the economic fallout, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the US was temporarily allowing “permit countries” to purchase Russian oil already in transit.
He said the short-term measure would “not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government”.
Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer was disappointed by the move, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Ultimately, it’s obviously a decision for the US, but our position is clear. All partners should maintain pressure on Russia and its war chest.
Mr and Mrs Trump with Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer | REUTERS“Our support for Ukraine is degrading Russia’s ability to wage war around the globe, both militarily and financially.
“The best way to continue to stop Russia supporting hostile actors is to continue on collective pressure and end the war in Ukraine.”
Pressed on whether he could rule out the UK weakening its sanctions regime, the official said: “Our sanctions remain, there’s no question about that.
“We remain committed to exerting that maximum economic pressure.”
Earlier on Friday, Sir Keir said people are “really worried” about the impact of the Iran conflict and “want to see us doing all we can to de-escalate” amid mounting concerns about the cost of living.
Cabinet ministers have linked the threat from Iran with that of its ally Russia, warning that the Middle East conflict benefits President Vladimir Putin.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran on Truth Social, saying his military has “unparalleled power”.
He wrote: “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.”