Washington DC: In a major expansion of its regional footprint, the United States has deployed the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and commissioned a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran enters a critical phase. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that the USS Tripoli, carrying approximately 3,500 sailors and Marines, arrived in the area of responsibility on March 27. The arrival of this “big deck” vessel—capable of operating F-35B stealth fighters and MV-22 Ospreys—comes as the Pentagon reportedly weighs options for targeted ground operations to secure maritime routes and neutralize missile sites.
The naval buildup is set to intensify further with the deployment of the USS George H.W. Bush. The Nimitz-class carrier recently completed its final combat-readiness certifications and has departed for the region to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, which remains active in the Arabian Sea. While the USS Gerald R. Ford is currently undergoing repairs in Croatia following a recent onboard fire, the addition of the Bush strike group would potentially raise the number of active U.S. carriers in the combat theatre to three. This mobilization marks the largest U.S. military concentration in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq War.
The strategic pivot toward increased amphibious and aerial strength follows a series of Iranian retaliatory strikes, including a missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base that injured 10 U.S. service members on Friday. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have indicated that while the administration seeks to meet its objectives through “Operation Epic Fury,” the Pentagon is preparing for all contingencies, including raids on critical Iranian coastal infrastructure and oil export hubs like Kharg Island.
