President Trump's new Iran option: USS Tripoli ready to strike fast, hard |
Opinion
President Trump's new Iran option: USS Tripoli ready to strike fast, hard
With 2,200 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard, the ship can conduct airstrikes, maritime interdiction and air assault near the Strait of Hormuz
By Rebecca Grant Fox News
Published April 1, 2026 5:00am EDT
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Moving at speed from the Philippine Sea near China, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is now on station for U.S. Central Command. Aboard are 2,200 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. With them are aircraft designed to strike into Iran — or control coastal positions along the Strait of Hormuz.
And get this: all of Tripoli’s aircraft are designed for vertical takeoffs from the flight deck. Yes, even the F-35B stealth fighters aboard can take off like helicopters.
This tailored crisis response force will give President Donald Trump fresh options to wrap up Operation Epic Fury. "The Strait of Hormuz could be open tomorrow if Iran stops threatening global shipping," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week. USS Tripoli is set to help.
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