U.S. sending USS Tripoli, thousands of Marines to Middle East
The USS Tripoli made a port call as part of routine operations in the Indo-Pacific in 2022. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is sending an amphibious assault ship, the USS Tripoli, and its Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East, a senior U.S. official confirmed to Axios on Friday.
Why it matters: The deployment will add thousands of Marines, several warships, and F-35 fighter jets to support those already in the region, the U.S. official said.
- The U.S. official said U.S. Central Command asked for the new force in order to have more options for military operations against Iran.
- The Marine expeditionary unit will be able to conduct ground operations if ordered. The U.S. official declined to comment on that possibility.