US Deploys 2,500 Marines To West Asia As Iran Conflict Escalates

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 09:46 IST

The US deployed 2,500 Marines and the USS Tripoli to West Asia amid conflict with Iran. Trump confirmed strikes on Kharg Island. Tehran had an explosion during a rally.

The United States has deployed 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the West Asia, a US official said Friday, in a significant buildup of forces after nearly two weeks of fighting with Iran.

Hours later, President Donald Trump said US forces had destroyed military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, the main terminal for Iran’s oil exports, and warned that the island’s oil facilities could be targeted next. A day earlier, Iran’s parliament speaker had warned that such an attack would trigger a new level of retaliation.

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In Tehran, a powerful explosion shook a central square where thousands had gathered for an annual rally supporting Palestinians and calling for Israel’s destruction. Israel had earlier warned it would target the area in central Tehran.

Also Read ‘Will Turn US-Linked Oil Infra Into Ashes’: Iran Vows Retaliation After Trump’s Kharg Strike Claim

No injuries were immediately reported, but holding the rally despite the warning highlighted the determination on both sides in a conflict that has shaken the global economy and shows no sign of ending.

Iran has continued widespread missile and drone attacks on Israel and neighbouring Gulf countries and has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s traded oil passes, even as US and Israeli warplanes strike military and other targets across Iran.

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has also deepened, with nearly 800 people killed and 850,000 displaced as Israel launched strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants and warned there would be no pause.

In a Fox News interview, Trump said the war would end “when I feel it in my bones." He was more cautious about the possibility of opponents overthrowing Iran’s government, saying, “That’s a big hurdle for people who don’t have weapons," referring to Iran’s Basij force, which has crushed recent protests.

Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to the Middle East, according to a US official who spoke anonymously about sensitive military plans. Marine Expeditionary Units can carry out amphibious landings and also specialise in embassy security, evacuating civilians and disaster relief.

The deployment does not necessarily mean a ground operation will take place. The Wall Street Journal first reported the new Marine deployment.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Tripoli and other ships carrying Marines are based in Japan and have been in the Pacific Ocean for several days, according to military images. Commercial satellite images showed the Tripoli sailing alone near Taiwan, placing it more than a week away from Iranian waters.

Earlier this week, the US Navy had 12 ships operating in the Arabian Sea, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers. If the Tripoli joins them, it would be the second-largest ship in the region after the Lincoln.

The exact number of US troops stationed in the Middle East remains unclear, though Al-Udeid Air Base alone usually hosts about 8,000 US personnel. US strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island targeted military sites but left its oil facilities untouched for now, Trump said in a social media post. He warned that if Iran or anyone else interferes with ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, he may reconsider and “wipe out the Oil Infrastructure."

On Thursday, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that attacks on Iran’s southern islands would cause Iran to “abandon all restraint," underscoring their importance to the country’s economy and security.

Meanwhile, the explosion in Tehran shook the Ferdowsi Square area around midday, where thousands had gathered for the annual Quds Day rally, chanting “death to Israel" and “death to America."

Israel had urged people to leave the area shortly before the blast, but few Iranians saw the warning because authorities have almost completely shut down the internet. Footage from the scene showed people chanting “God is greatest" as smoke rose into the sky. The Israeli military later posted another message in Farsi, noting that Iran’s judiciary chief was present at the rally and criticising Iran for preventing many people from seeing its warning.

Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, was giving an interview on state television at the rally when the strike occurred. His bodyguards surrounded him as he raised his fist and declared that Iran “under this rain and missiles will never withdraw."

Israel also announced another wave of strikes across Iran targeting infrastructure, saying its air force hit more than 200 targets in the past 24 hours, including missile launchers, defence systems and weapons factories.

In Washington, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said more than 15,000 enemy targets had been struck since the war began, averaging more than 1,000 per day. He also sought to calm concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “We have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it."

The US military confirmed Friday that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 refuelling aircraft were killed when it crashed in Iraq, bringing the US death toll to at least 13 service members.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said three of the victims were from Ohio and had deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refuelling Wing.

US Central Command said the crash was not caused by friendly or hostile fire and involved two aircraft, including one that landed safely. The KC-135 is the fourth aircraft publicly acknowledged to have crashed during US operations against Iran.

Last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by friendly Kuwaiti fire.

Iran has continued daily attacks on oil and other infrastructure across the Gulf. In Oman, two people were killed when two drones crashed in the Sohar region, according to the Oman News Agency.

A US official said the US Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin shot down an Iranian ballistic missile over Turkey on Friday, marking the third such interception over the NATO member in the past two weeks.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has also intensified. An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon hit a health care centre in Burj Qalaouiyah village, killing 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses, the Lebanese Health Ministry said early Saturday.

Earlier, at least eight people were killed in a strike on Sidon, the ministry said Friday. According to the ministry, 773 people — including more than 100 children and 18 paramedics — have been killed since fighting began between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants 10 days ago.

(With inputs from AP)

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