The US Navy ship USS Tripoli, accompanied by 3,500 sailors and marines, has arrived in the Middle East region. However, it is still unclear which specific US military operations they will participate in.
On 28 Mar 2026, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced via the X platform that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, along with 3,500 US Navy and Marine personnel, has reached the Middle East as the Department of Defense considers next steps in the war with Iran.
“The US Navy and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility on 27 March,” CENTCOM stated. Previously, USS Tripoli was stationed in Japan.
Earlier, CNN reported that the Pentagon plans to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the Middle East region, with USS Tripoli leading the amphibious warship group to be sent.
Typically, such a unit is used for missions like large-scale civilian evacuations and amphibious operations involving movement from ship to shore, including assaults and seizures. It also includes ground combat and air combat elements, with some units trained for special operations as well.
A source familiar with the troop deployment told CNN that having the MEU available provides commanders with additional options to respond to a variety of potential emergency situations.
In recent weeks, the US government has faced increasing questions about whether it will deploy ground troops to the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters after the G7 meeting on Friday that the US can achieve its goals in Iran “without deploying a single ground troop.”
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