Three warships from San Diego and more than 2,000 Marines heading to the Middle East may have a crucial role to play in the US fight against Iran. The San Diego-based USS Boxer amphibious assault ship and two other ships comprising the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are en route to the region,

The U.S. has deployed thousands of San Diego-based Marines to the Middle East aboard the USS Boxer, NBC News has learned. It comes days after two more warships were redirected to the region.

The U.S. deploys 2,200 Marines aboard the USS Tripoli to the Middle East amid rising Iran tensions. The amphibious warship carries F-35Bs to protect vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.

Marine reservists expressed confusion and concern on Reddit after receiving a letter from Lt. Gen. Leonard F. Anderson IV urging them to ensure their gear, uniforms, and personal affairs were fully prepared.

A U.S. defense official said that thousands more Marines are being deployed to the Middle East on an accelerated timeline.

Marines headed to the Middle East is a big increase in presence in the War with Iran. “They're called Marine expeditionary units,” Hal Kempfer, a retired Marine Corps Intelligence Officer, said.