The USS Tripoli warship has arrived in the Middle East, the US Central Command said on Saturday, as speculation grew about the possible deployment of US ground troops to Iran.
The ship arrived in the area on Friday, CENTCOM said in a social media post, noting that the ship is the flagship of a Marine force with about 3,500 sailors.
The group also includes “transport and strike aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets”, it said.
The post contains four photos, including one showing several Seahawk helicopters on the ship’s deck, as well as some Osprey aircraft, which are used for crew transport.
Another photo shows an F-35 fighter jet.
The USS Tripoli, with elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard, is based in Japan.
