According to the Wall Street Journal, two U.S. officials stated that the Pentagon is considering deploying additional warships to the Middle East in preparation for escorting oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. One of the officials mentioned that the U.S. Central Command has requested more destroyers and Marine Corps vessels to help protect commercial ships attempting to navigate the strait. U.S. officials indicated that even with the deployment of additional warships, American forces will not immediately commence escort operations; they must first reduce threats from Iran. This process could take a month or even longer.