A U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship carrying about 2,500 Marines has arrived in the Middle East, and the Pentagon is preparing for possible ground operations in Iran, according to U.S. military announcements and reporting by The Washington Post and defense officials.
The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, reached its area of operations Saturday with some 2,500 Marines aboard, part of a broader U.S. military buildup amid the ongoing conflict with Iran and allied forces. The deployment comes as tensions escalate across the region.
According to The Washington Post, Pentagon planners are drawing up contingency plans for weeks-long ground operations inside Iran, including potential raids by Special Operations forces and conventional infantry. It remains unclear whether President Donald Trump has approved such missions.
U.S. Central Command has not publicly detailed specific operational goals for the Marines, but the presence of a large amphibious force, including aircraft and landing craft, enhances U.S. military options in the region.
The buildup occurs against the backdrop of widening conflict in the Middle East, with attacks attributed to Iran-aligned groups and ongoing disruptions to key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz