USS Tripoli Arrives with 3,500 Marines — Potential Kharg Island / Hormuz Ground Force

Approximately 3,500 US Marines aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) arrived in the region on March 29, substantially increasing US amphibious and ground assault capability in the theater. Analysts noted the deployment is consistent with a Kharg Island seizure mission or Hormuz enforcement operation — both scenarios Trump publicly referenced on March 29. The Washington Post separately reported the Pentagon is preparing for 'weeks of ground operations,' potentially including special forces raids and conventional infantry, short of a full-scale invasion. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf warned any US ground invasion would be 'met with force.'