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Pentagon Deploys 2,500 Marines and USS Tripoli to Middle East Amid Iran Conflict
The deployment adds versatile amphibious and air assets amid escalating Iran strikes, with over 15,000 enemy targets hit since conflict began, Pentagon says.
- On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a U.S. Central Command request to deploy roughly 2,500 Marines and the Japan-based USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship to the Middle East as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
- After Iran intensified missile and drone attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global shipping nearly two weeks into the conflict, CENTCOM requested the amphibious reinforcement to expand operational options.
- U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit roughly 6,000 targets in Iran, while U.S. forces have sustained 13 service members killed and roughly 140 wounded. The 31st MEU includes about 1,100 ground combat Marines and supporting logistics units.
- Officials say the deployment expands commanders' military options without committing to ground invasion. Quinnipiac polling shows 53% of registered voters oppose military action while 40% approve, with 74% fearing rising energy prices.
- Sailing from Sasebo, Japan, the USS Tripoli remains over a week away from Iranian waters, accompanied by a combat logistics battalion capable of sustaining operations for up to 15 days amid reported contingency planning for raids or seizing Kharg Island.
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The U.S. media are announcing the sending by the White House of several thousand soldiers. According to them, the USS Tripoli has already left a Japanese base where it was stationed and would take two weeks to reach the zone of conflict. Together with it, a unit trained in amphibious operations: 5,000 soldiers, mainly Marines. But what would be the use of such an intervention on the ground? Washington is careful not to reveal what the mission of…
Newsmax's Babb: 5,000 More US Marines, Sailors Heading to the Middle East
USS Tripoli, the amphibious assault ship, and amphibious transport docks USS San Diego and USS New Orleans make up the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group. One senior military official confirmed to Newsmax that all three amphibs will deploy to the region after operating in the Philippine Sea this week.
The war between the US, Israel and Iran goes into its third week – its outcome remains uncertain, says one expert.
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