US Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit Arrives in Persian Gulf Region

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has entered the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Persian Gulf.

U.S. Central Command announced this on the social media platform X.

The USS Tripoli (America-class) amphibious assault ship is the flagship of the group, which includes about 3,500 sailors and Marines.

In addition to personnel, the group includes helicopters, F-35 fighter jets, and amphibious and tactical assets designed for amphibious operations.

The unit departed from Japan on March 11. In addition, the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, carrying around 2,200 Marines, is also heading to the Persian Gulf, having left California about a week later.

U.S. military leadership is considering deploying another 10,000 troops to the Middle East. These would likely include infantry and armored units, joining roughly 5,000 Marines and thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division already in the region.

As previously reported, U.S. Department of War officials have conducted detailed preparations for a possible ground invasion of Iran.

Military officials have also held meetings on how to proceed in the event that Iranian troops or paramilitary fighters are detained, should the president decide to deploy ground forces, including where exactly they would be taken.