Iran war: US amphibious assault ship arrives in Mideast amid talk of ground operation
he USS Tripoli enters the Singapore Strait on March 17.
Photo: Reuters The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has arrived in the Middle East, US Central Command said on Saturday, as speculation soared about the possible deployment of US ground troops in Iran.
The ship arrived in the region on Friday, CENTCOM said in a social media post, noting that the vessel is the flagship for a contingent of “about 3,500” Marines and sailors.
The group also includes “transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets”, it said.
The post features four images, including one showing several Seahawk helicopters on the ship’s deck, as well as some Osprey aircraft, typically used for personnel transport.
Another picture shows an F-35 fighter jet.
US Central Command shared images of some of the forces on board the USS Tripoli in a social media post on Saturday.
Image: X/CENTCOM The USS Tripoli, as well as the elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit that are aboard, are based in Japan.
They were conducting exercises in the area around Taiwan when the order came to deploy to the Middle East almost two weeks ago.
The USS Boxer and two other ships, along with another Marine Expeditionary Unit, have also been ordered to the region from San Diego.
Before the arrival of the Marines, the US military had already built up the largest American force in the region in more than 20 years, including two aircraft carriers, several other warships and some 50,000 troops.
The USS Gerald R Ford, the nation’s newest aircraft carrier, recently left the Middle East for repairs and supplies in Europe after a fire in a laundry room that affected some of the ship’s sleeping quarters.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday the United States can meet its objectives “without any ground troops”.
But he also said Trump “has to be prepared for multiple contingencies” and that American forces are available “to give the president maximum optionality and maximum, opportunity to adjust to contingencies should they emerge”.
Trump has been vague on the issue for weeks, and several US media outlets have reported that he is mulling the idea of soon sending at least 10,000 troops to the Middle East.
Additional reporting by Associate
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原文链接: 南华早报