3,500 US Marines land in Middle East

The US Central Command announced that 3,500 Marines and sailors aboard the USS Tripoli arrived in the Middle East on Saturday. This makes it the largest US buildup in the Middle East in 20 years. "U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 27," CENTCOM said in a post on X.The deployment adds to around 50,000 American troops already stationed there and comes amid growing speculation over whether Washington could consider sending ground troops in Iran.

U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 27. The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about… pic.twitter.com/JFWiPBbkd2

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026

The USS Tripoli and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are usually based in Japan and were conducting exercises near Taiwan before reportedly being redirected to the Middle East. According to Central Command, over 11,000 targets have been struck since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, underscoring the scale of ongoing military operations.US Central Command said on Saturday that Iranian naval vessels had threatened and harassed global shipping in regional waters for decades, but that “those days are over.” The statement, posted on X, came as CENTCOM released video it said showed strikes targeting Iranian naval assets.

For decades, Iranian naval vessels have threatened and harassed global shipping in regional waters, but those days are over. pic.twitter.com/J4WUwpfU24

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026

US Vice President JD Vance said on Saturday that Washington had achieved most of its military objectives against Iran and suggested the campaign could continue for a short time longer. In an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, Vance said, “we've achieved most of our military objectives against Iran. You could argue we've achieved all of them.” He added that President Donald Trump would continue a bit longer to make sure the United States would not have to return “for a very long time.”
Tensions escalated further after Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, injuring at least 10 U.S. personnel. Meanwhile, Iran continues to exert control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, severely disrupting global oil shipments and driving up fuel prices.