2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran

[MapperGuy]

I did confirm that boarding and inspection operations are part of official USMC doctrine for units such as 31st MEU. See https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Amphibious Ready Group And Marine Expeditionary Unit Overview.pdf#:~:text=Forward deployed MEUs embarked aboard Amphibious Ready,forces, and support designated special operations forces.

I've read/scanned so many articles on the many moving parts of Operation Epic Fury that I'm not sure if this is the one I got the information from

Potential targets for the ARG include Marine deployments on outlying Iranian islands in the straits, serving as a jumping off point to help interdict any Iranian mining or interdiction efforts in the Strait of Hormuz trying to clamp down on the passage of commercial shipping, as the price of oil has climbed by significant margins. However, the Pentagon has not confirmed the intentions behind the Tripoli ARG's new tasking, with no forthcoming statements from any officials as of yet.

[italics added]

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/03/marine-expeditionary-unit-ordered-to-the-middle-east/

So the authors admit that this is speculation on their part although in light of the current military situation I'd call it informed speculation.

[edited to add the **** link]

The Marines are not needed for boarding operations.
If Hegseth's minions think a small ship might have mines they will just sink it, like the 'drug boats' in the Caribbean.
Only the largest ships would be boarded, and if they are tankers belonging to friendly nations they would probably not be boarded.
Even a small number of Marines could perform multiple boarding operations in a day, not like they would stay on board more than a few hours.

Marines are for landing operations, Iranian coast or some of the islands in the Persian Gulf. Where they immediately become targets for Iranian missiles or artillery. Casualties would be inevitable.
Kharg Island might be the target, but even if the bombing of it destroyed anti-aircraft and anti-ship batteries I would assume there are Iranian troops there who would oppose a landing.
Destruction of oil facilities there would be an instant and years long massive increase in world oil prices.

Of course Trump has said when oil prices go up "we" make a lot of money. Meaning US oil companies make lots of money.