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Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Logan Bonaguidi (R) grades a target during a live-fire exercise aboard America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), March 12, 2026. /VCG
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that a task force of 3,500 Marines and sailors arrived in the Middle East on Friday.
"US Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility, March 27," CENTCOM said in a brief post on the social media platform X.
The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/ 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, composed of about 3,500 sailors and Marines in addition to transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets, CENTCOM said in the post.
The arrival is part of a broader US military buildup tied to the ongoing war with Iran, with amphibious forces capable of conducting both sea-based strikes and ground operations, online news portal ynetnews.com reported on Saturday, adding that such units are typically used for rapid deployments, including securing strategic locations, evacuations or potential assaults on coastal targets.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the Pentagon was considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to give US President Donald Trump more military options beyond diplomacy.
The force, likely to include infantry and armored vehicles, would be added to the roughly 5,000 Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already ordered to the region, the report said, citing Department of Defense officials.
It was unclear exactly where the forces would be deployed in the Middle East, but they are expected to be within striking distance of Iran and its Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub, the WSJ report added.
Harbor tugboats and other civilian vessels approach the US Navy aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford at an anchor point off the Croatian coastal city of Split, March 28, 2026. /VCG
The Ministry of Defence of Croatia said on Saturday via its official social media account that the US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford entered the port waters of Split the same day.
The ministry added that the Croatian government had previously approved the carrier's entry into the country's internal waters and its docking at Split.
It said the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in Split is part of its scheduled port visit and maintenance plan.
(With input from Xinhua News Agency)