Trump also said he believes US Navy escorts for tankers through the Strait of Hormuz will happen “soon.” Separately, a senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran is considering allowing some vessels to pass through, provided the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan.
US officials also told CNN that the Pentagon is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, a rapid response unit typically comprised of around 2,500 Marines and sailors. The US military said all six service members aboard a refueling aircraft were killed when it crashed Thursday in Iraq.
