The administration of Donald Trump has deployed additional US Marines to the Middle East as the conflict involving Iran enters its fifth week, signaling a further buildup of American military presence in the region.
According to the United States Central Command, about 3,500 troops have arrived aboard the USS Tripoli. The deployment includes sailors and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with transport aircraft, strike fighters, and amphibious assault capabilities.
The reinforcements, which reached the region on March 27, are part of a broader effort to strengthen operational readiness amid rising tensions and ongoing hostilities.
In parallel, the administration is also considering deploying thousands of additional soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, a rapid-response force often used in high-risk missions.
Officials cited by The Washington Post indicate that internal discussions have included the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, a strategic location that handles a significant portion of Iran’s oil exports in the Gulf.
The military buildup reflects growing concerns over the widening scope of the conflict, with analysts warning that increased troop deployments and potential operations targeting key infrastructure could further escalate tensions in the region and disrupt global energy supplies.
