Why the USS Tripoli Is Heading Toward the Middle East

A US Navy warship carrying thousands of Marines is heading to the Middle East as the war with Iran intensifies, tracking data showed.

The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship nearly 850 feet long and displacing 45,000 tons, is approaching the region.

On board is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response force of 2,200 personnel based in Okinawa.

The Pentagon ordered the unit to deploy, adding to the roughly 50,000 US troops already in the Middle East.

The Tripoli carries F-35 stealth fighters, MV-22 Osprey transports, and landing craft for ship-to-shore operations.

MEUs are designed for evacuations, raids, and amphibious assaults, with some units trained for special operations.

The exact destination and mission remain unclear, but the deployment signals continued US commitment as the conflict spreads.