CRITICALMILITARY

Hegseth orders USS Tripoli and 2,200 Marines to Middle East — first amphibious force of the war

2026-03-13 · 17:00 UTC·Persian Gulf / Strait of Hormuz region

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship and its Marine Expeditionary Unit — approximately 2,200 Marines aboard three US Navy amphibious ships — to the Middle East. Confirmed by Axios and two US officials on Friday March 13. This is the first dedicated amphibious/ground-capable force deployment of the war, raising the prospect of island seizure operations or direct Hormuz intervention. Analysts at The War Zone identified Kharg Island — Iran's primary oil export terminal handling 90% of its crude exports — as the most operationally logical target for a Marine Expeditionary Unit in this conflict.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Tripoli (LHA-7), a 45,000-tonne America-class amphibious assault ship, and its attached Marine Expeditionary Unit to deploy to the Middle East. The force consists of approximately 2,200 Marines embarked across three US Navy amphibious ships, confirmed Friday by Axios citing a senior US official, and corroborated by ABC News citing two US officials. This is the first dedicated amphibious and ground-capable force commitment of the fourteen-day war. All prior US force deployments have been air, naval strike, or ISR assets. A Marine Expeditionary Unit carries organic aviation, armour, and assault capability suited to island seizure, port seizure, or coastal strike operations. Analysts at The War Zone wrote that in the context of this conflict, "one target comes to mind: Kharg Island" — the offshore terminal in the northern Persian Gulf through which approximately 90% of Iranian crude oil exports flow. Seizure or destruction of Kharg would effectively end Iranian oil export revenue. However, the deployment could also be intended for Hormuz passage security, non-combatant evacuation, or as a deterrent signal. The Daily Mail reported the total figure as 5,000 Marines including ship crews and supporting elements. The US-confirmed figure from officials is 2,200 Marines in the MEU itself. Hegseth earlier Friday said the US "will not allow Iran to contest shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

Actor responses

United StatesNEUTRALSTATEMENT

Hegseth ordered USS Tripoli and its Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East on Friday. The US will not allow Iran to contest shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

IranOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

The dispatch of American Marines to our region is a naked act of aggression and preparation for invasion. Iran will respond to any amphibious or ground incursion with overwhelming force. Our coastlines and islands are defended.

IRGCOPPOSINGTHREAT

We have identified the USS Tripoli and its accompanying ships. Any attempt to approach Iranian territorial waters or the islands of the Persian Gulf will be met with full naval and missile response.

NATOSUPPORTINGRESPONSE

NATO allies note the US deployment of amphibious forces to the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz must remain open to international shipping. We support freedom of navigation.