CENTCOM releases footage of strikes against Iranian vessels ‘harassing’ global trade
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Thousands of US marines have arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli, according to US Central Command.
It comes amid reports that President Donald Trump would be sending thousands of military personnel to the region in an attempt to defeat Iran.
“The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about 3,500 Sailors and Marines in addition to transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets,” wrote US Central Command on Saturday.
The arrival of the reinforcements comes amidst speculation of a ground invasion. However, secretary of state Marco Rubio had said on Friday that the US could achieve its goals without a ground invasion.
Earlier this week, reports from theWall Street Journal suggested Trump was considering sending 10,000 troops.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis launched missiles at Israel in their first attack since the current Middle East conflict broke out.
The Houthis, whose involvement on Saturday risks broadening and prolonging a war that has entered its fifth week, warned their operations would continue until the “aggression” on all fronts ended. Israel said it had intercepted a missile from Yemen.
Full story: Force of 3,500 Marines and sailors arrive in Middle East
Thousands of U.S. servicemembers have deployed to the Middle East as the war with Iran enters its second month, underscoring the scale of the American military buildup in the region.
On Friday, roughly 3,500 Marines and sailors aboard the USS Tripoli — an amphibious assault ship — entered the U.S. Central Command’s “area of responsibility,” the military command announced on Saturday. CENTCOM oversees U.S. operations in the Middle East.
The vessel also carries transport aircraft, tactical assets as well as strike fighter jets. Photos posted by CENTCOM show soldiers wearing helmets, goggles and combat fatigues.
Since the war broke out in late February, the U.S. has built up a massive military presence near Iran, deploying thousands of Marines and warships to supplement the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops already stationed in the region. Last week, reports also indicated the Pentagon plans to dispatch at least 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division.
Brendan Rascius reports from New York:
Maira Butt28 March 2026 17:24
Where have US marines arrived?
The US Central Command wrote in its announcement that the USS Tripoli warship had arrived in an “area of responsibility” but did not disclose a specific location.
However, the so-called area spans four million square miles across north-east Africa, the Middle East and central and southern Asia, according to the US military.
The warship was previously located in Japan.
The USS Tripoli pictured here in 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)
Maira Butt28 March 2026 17:04
Watch: CENTCOM releases footage of strikes against Iranian vessels ‘harassing’ global trade
CENTCOM releases footage of strikes against Iranian vessels ‘harassing’ global trade
Maira Butt28 March 2026 16:44
In pictures: US military confirms arrival of thousands of marines in Middle East
(US Centcom)(US Centcom)(US Centcom)(US Centcom)
Maira Butt28 March 2026 16:21
Breaking: US ship carrying thousands of marines arrives in Middle East
Thousands of US marines and sailors have arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli, according to US Central Command.
The arrival comes amid reports that President Donald Trump would be sending thousands of military personnel to the region in an attempt to defeat Iran alongside a potential ground invasion.
“The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about 3,500 Sailors and Marines in addition to transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets,” wrote US Central Command on Saturday.
Maira Butt28 March 2026 15:51
Iran says area near fatal Minab school attack has been hit in fresh US-Israeli strikes
Iran has said that an area close to the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab county has been hit in a new US-Israeli attack.
On Friday, an emergency meeting was held at the United Nations Human Rights Council, as calls were made for a US investigation into the original attack on 28 February that killed 175 school children and teachers according to Iranian authorities.
Ahmad Nafisi, the political, security and social deputy governor of the southern Hormozgan province, said the attack caused “damage to the storage facilities” at the Martyr Absalan Clinic.
He is reported to have said that the US and Israel used “several drones” in the attack on the medical complex, according to the Fars news agency.
“Fortunately, this attack did not lead to any casualties,” he said, adding that an investigation remains underway.
Maira Butt28 March 2026 15:44
Qatar intercepts several drones launched from Iran, says defence ministry
Qatar has intercepted more drones launched from Iran on Saturday, according to the country’s defence ministry, as the war in the Middle East shows no signs of slowing down.
The Qatari defence ministry said all of the aircraft were intercepted. No casualties have been reported.
Maira Butt28 March 2026 15:40
‘What happens in Gaza, will happen everywhere’: Palestinian ambassador to the UK warns Israel will not stop
Israel says it needs to create a buffer zone in Lebanon, similar to Gaza, so it can fight Hezbollah and keep its territory safe.
Thousands of Lebanese have already been forced into tents and UN calls for Lebanon’s territorial integrity to be respected, appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Iran war, launched a month ago jointly with the US, is the fulfillment of a “40 year dream”.
Maira Butt28 March 2026 15:20
Watch: Trump calls Strait of Hormuz ‘Strait of Trump’
Trump calls Strait of Hormuz ‘Strait of Trump’
Maira Butt28 March 2026 15:00
Israeli military kills three Palestinian men in Gaza, health officials say
The Israeli military killed three Palestinian men in Gaza on Saturday in two separate air strikes, local health officials and medics said on Saturday.
Palestinian health officials said one man was killed in an air strike on a car in the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, while medics said two adult brothers were killed in Shujiaya, a neighbourhood east of Gaza City.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the two air strikes.
More than 680 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas came into effect in November, local health officials say.
Palestinians stand next to a tent set up on the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, in Gaza City, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Maira Butt28 March 2026 14:40
