Additional US sailors and Marines have arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, the US military announced.
The USS Tripoli, the flagship of a combined naval force of about 3,500 personnel, arrived in the region on Friday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the regional military command responsible for the area, announced on Friday.
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, plus 2,500 sailors, arrived aboard the USS Tripoli at the Arabian Sea.pic.twitter.com/RVQGERHFRY https://t.co/E3FkApswqV
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 28, 2026
The new force joins thousands of US Marines already deployed to the Middle East as part of a massive build-up ahead of war with Iran.
In total, according to earlier statements, the US has deployed more than 50,000 soldiers in the region, according to DPA.
The US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by attacking Israel and the Gulf states where US military facilities are located, while effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipments, Index reports.
US Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility, March 27. The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about… pic.twitter.com/JFWiPBbkd2
— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026
Since the start of the war, US forces have attacked more than 11,000 targets in Iran and damaged or destroyed more than 150 Iranian ships, CENTCOM said later in a separate announcement.
(Vijesti.ba)
