The Wall Street Journal reported on the 19th, citing sources, that the United States is deploying additional troops to the Middle East and may seize Iran's key oil export hub in order to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. The report stated that a force of approximately 2,200 U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Force personnel is en route from Japan to the Middle East aboard an amphibious assault ship and is expected to arrive in about a week. The U.S. may use this force to occupy Kharg Island as leverage to force Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Former U.S. Central Command Commander Frank McKenzie said, "(The U.S. military) could destroy its (Kharg Island's) oil infrastructure, which would cause irreparable damage to Iran and the global economy. Or it could occupy it as a bargaining chip." (Xinhua)