U.S. Sailors, Marines Deployed Amid Iran War Reach Centcom Region

Thousands of troops and military assets arrive in Middle East as tensions escalate.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

U.S. sailors and Marines aboard the USS Tripoli arrived at the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) area in the Middle East on Friday, delivering about 3,500 sailors and Marines from the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with transport and strike fighter aircraft, amphibious assault and tactical assets. This military buildup in the region comes amid calls for President Trump to avoid deploying ground troops, though he has floated the idea of taking over Iran's crude export storage depot, which would require U.S. ground forces.

Why it matters

The deployment of thousands of additional U.S. troops and military assets to the Middle East signals an escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, raising concerns about the potential for direct military conflict. The situation is further complicated by Iran's rejection of a U.S. peace plan and its counterproposal requesting an end to hostilities and sovereignty over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The details

The USS Tripoli delivered the troops and assets to the Centcom region, which includes the Middle East. The Pentagon also sped up the deployment of thousands more Marines and two warships to the region, including the USS Boxer carrying at least 2,200 Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. These forces will be joined by the USS New Orleans, which was scheduled to arrive in the region on Friday. The military buildup comes as the Houthis, a Yemen-based armed group that backs Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, fired ballistic missiles at Israel on Saturday, and the U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization warned the U.S., Israel and Persian Gulf partners against further hostilities toward Iran.

  • The USS Tripoli arrived at the Centcom area in the Middle East on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • The USS Boxer, carrying at least 2,200 Marines, departed on Wednesday and is less than a month away from reaching the Centcom area.
  • The USS New Orleans was scheduled to arrive in the region on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

USS Tripoli

A U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship that delivered about 3,500 sailors and Marines from the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, along with transport and strike fighter aircraft, amphibious assault and tactical assets, to the Centcom region in the Middle East.

USS Boxer

A U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship that departed on Wednesday carrying at least 2,200 Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is less than a month away from reaching the Centcom area in the Middle East.

USS New Orleans

A U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship that was scheduled to arrive in the Centcom region on Friday, March 28, 2026.

Houthis

A Yemen-based armed group that backs Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and fired ballistic missiles at Israel on Saturday.

President Trump

The U.S. President who has floated the idea of taking over Iran's crucial crude export storage depot, a tactic that would require U.S. ground troops, despite calls for him to avoid deploying boots on the ground.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the U.S. was still working on negotiations with Iran through Pakistani mediators to end the conflict in 'weeks, not months,' he told The Guardian.”

— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This military buildup in the Middle East highlights the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, raising concerns about the potential for direct conflict and the need for diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the situation and prevent further hostilities.