The United States has stepped up its military presence in the Middle East, with 3,500 marines and sailors arriving in the region as Washington continues to expand its options in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The deployment was confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which said the forces arrived on March 27 aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA 7).
In a post on X, CENTCOM said the America-class amphibious assault ship is serving as the flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a force made up of around 3,500 sailors and marines along with transport aircraft, strike fighters, and amphibious tactical assets.
The arrival is being seen as part of a broader US military build-up linked to the war with Iran, with the newly arrived amphibious force capable of carrying out both sea-based combat operations and ground assault missions.
Such units are typically used for rapid deployment operations, including securing strategic sites, evacuating personnel, and launching attacks on coastal targets if required.
The latest deployment comes amid reports that the Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the region in order to give President Donald Trump a wider range of military options beyond diplomacy.
According to reports, those additional troops could include infantry units and armoured vehicles, and would be added to the roughly 5,000 Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already moved closer to the conflict zone.
While US officials have not publicly confirmed where exactly the new forces would be positioned, reports suggest they are expected to be stationed within operational reach of Iran, including sensitive locations such as Kharg Island, Iran’s critical oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf.
Iran Threatens Neighbour
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that Tehran will not initiate attacks but will respond forcefully if its infrastructure or economic centres are targeted, as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate.
In a post on X, Pezeshkian said, “We have said many times that Iran doesn’t carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted.”
We have said many times that Iran doesn’t carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted.
To the countries of the region:
If you want development and security, don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 28, 2026
The statement comes amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict following sustained strikes involving the United States and Israel. Iranian leaders have repeatedly warned that attacks on critical facilities could trigger broader retaliation across the region, potentially impacting energy and economic infrastructure.
