USS Tripoli arrives with 3,500 troops, fuels speculation of US ground operations in Iran

The United States has significantly expanded its military presence in the Middle East, with 3,500 Marines and sailors aboard the USS Tripoli arriving in the region, in what is being described as maybe the largest American buildup there in nearly two decades. The deployment, confirmed by US central command, comes after nearly a month of conflict involving Iran and is being seen as part of Washington’s effort to widen its operational options in the region. “US Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility, March 27,” CENTCOM said in a post…