USS Tripoli arrives in the Middle East with more than 3,500 personnel.

Over 3,500 US sailors and Marines on the USS Tripoli have deployed to the Middle East as the Pentagon escalates military presence in the area.

On March 29, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that the USS Tripoli had reached its area of responsibility. The amphibious assault ship functions as the flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a composite force with ground, air, and naval components.

The USS Tripoli, one of the latest and most advanced amphibious assault ships in the U.S. military, is engineered to support a bigger air wing, comprising F-35 stealth fighter jets, V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and other warplanes. It was formerly stationed in Japan before obtaining deployment instructions to the Middle East approximately two weeks ago.

CENTCOM stated that the Tripoli deploys transport aircraft, strike fighters, and amphibious assault capabilities to the region, in addition to the Marines on board.

The USS Boxer, an additional amphibious assault ship, together with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, has been dispatched to the region from San Diego.

CENTCOM did not provide further specifics regarding the deployment of additional U.S. soldiers, although they are expected to be stationed within striking range of Iran, particularly near critical sites such as Kharg Island, a significant Iranian oil export terminal located off the coast.