US REPORTEDLY MOVING OVER 2,000 MARINES FROM JAPAN TO WEST ASIA

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- The US military has started moving at least one amphibious assault ship and more than 2,000 Marines from Japan to the West Asia as the US-Israeli war against Iran continues, according to Kyodo News, citing major US media reported Friday.

With the war about to enter its third week and US President Donald Trump vowing to ramp up military action against Iran, The Wall Street Journal and Fox News said the military is sending the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the region.

The assault ship Tripoli, homeported in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan, could arrive in one to two weeks, according to Fox News.

The dispatch, slashing US forces deployed to the Indo-Pacific region, comes as Iran is increasing its attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which around 20 per cent of the world's crude oil typically passes.

The Tripoli and two other warships make up a Marine Amphibious Ready Group. The newspaper said the Tripoli, equipped with F-35 fighter jets, and one more warship from the group have been ordered to West Asia.

The redeployment of US military assets from the Indo-Pacific to the Persian Gulf has raised national security concerns among American allies in the region.

The Washington Post and South Korean media outlets reported earlier this week that the US military was set to relocate from South Korea to the West Asia parts of a missile defence system aimed at countering North Korea.

On Friday, Trump told reporters, "It'll be as long as it's necessary," when asked how long he thinks the war with Iran will continue.

Later, Trump said on social media that US forces had "totally obliterated" every military target on Iran's Kharg Island, where most of its crude oil exports are handled.

"I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision," he wrote.

Amid surging oil prices, the Trump administration has floated the idea of using US Navy ships to escort vessels through the waterway to guard them from attack.

When he met the press before leaving for Florida, Trump said he thinks that will happen "very soon."

-- BERNAMA-KYODO