The Pentagon is weighing sending additional warships to the Middle East as Iran steps up its attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Citing three US officials, the report said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request from US Central Command for an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines.

The Japan-based USS Tripoli and its attached Marines are now headed for the Middle East, two of the officials said, according to the report.

Marines are already in the Middle East supporting the operation against Iran, the officials said.