The administration of Donald Trump is expediting the deployment of thousands of American troops to the Middle East, signalling a further escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
US officials confirmed that key naval forces are being mobilised ahead of schedule, with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit among those preparing for deployment.
The force includes approximately 4,000 service personnel, including around 2,500 Marines, aboard the USS Boxer, USS Portland, and USS Comstock. The USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, is equipped with F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and amphibious vehicles capable of supporting ground operations. The vessel has already departed San Diego and is en route to the region.
The deployment comes in addition to the earlier movement of the USS Tripoli, another amphibious warship carrying Marines and advanced military equipment, which was sent to the Middle East earlier this week. Amphibious Ready Groups typically operate in formations of three ships, although the additional vessels accompanying the Tripoli have not yet been confirmed.
If fully assembled, the deployment of up to six amphibious ships could bring as many as 8,000 US personnel into the region, including between 4,000 and 5,000 Marines.
The move comes amid mixed messaging from Washington over whether US ground forces could be deployed directly into Iran. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Donald Trump said he was not planning to send troops, adding: “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.” However, earlier in the week, he indicated he would not rule out such a move, stating he was “not afraid” to put American forces on the ground if necessary.
The escalation follows a growing number of US casualties since the conflict began on 28 February. According to the Pentagon, 13 American service members have been killed and more than 200 wounded, including several seriously.
Among the incidents, six personnel were killed when an Iranian drone struck a US operations centre in Kuwait on 1 March. A further six died on 12 March when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq following an in-air incident.
Despite claims from US officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, that Iranian military capabilities have been significantly weakened, there remains no clear timeline for the end of the conflict. Earlier this month, Trump said the war would conclude “when I feel it in my bones”, offering no further detail.
The Pentagon has declined to provide additional comment on the latest deployments, referring enquiries to United States Central Command, which has not issued a detailed public response.
With troop numbers rising and no clear exit strategy in sight, the latest deployments underline the growing scale of US involvement in a conflict that continues to widen across the region.
