US 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit returns to Japan after Iran conflict

The US Navy has announced that an amphibious task force, comprising around 2,200 Marines who took part in enforcing the maritime blockade on Iran, has returned to Japan following its deployment in the Middle East during the early days of the Iran war.

In a statement, the Navy said the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) disembarked the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) at its base on Okinawa Island on Wednesday.

The ship and its Marines played a key role in carrying out the first blockade imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump on Iranian ports in April, including boarding commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade.

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