Media: US elite units in Middle East yet to receive combat orders

U.S. special forces recently deployed to the Middle East have not yet received specific combat assignments but could be used to ensure the security of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported, citing U.S. officials.

According to sources, units of Army Rangers and Navy SEALs have arrived in the region. They could potentially be involved in operations such as seizing Iran’s Kharg Island or missions related to highly enriched uranium at a facility in Isfahan.

Earlier, 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors were deployed to the Middle East, bringing the total number of U.S. forces in the region to more than 50,000.