A contingent of 3,500 U.S. sailors and Marines has arrived in the Middle East on the USS Tripoli, amid heightened tensions and warnings from Tehran regarding potential American military actions. Iran has cautioned that U.S. forces could face casualties if President Donald Trump orders a ground invasion of the country.

The USS Tripoli, serving as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, made its arrival over the weekend, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command on Saturday.

In addition to the personnel, the amphibious assault ship brings with it a fleet of transport and strike fighter aircraft, along with various assault and tactical equipment. The deployment comes as the Pentagon reportedly gears up for possible extended military operations in Iran.

With the conflict in Iran showing no signs of de-escalation, sources have informed The Washington Post that thousands more Marines are being prepared for deployment to the Middle East.

While this movement of troops does not equate to a full-scale invasion, discussions are underway about sending approximately 10,000 additional American forces to augment the substantial military presence already stationed in the Gulf region.

President Trump has yet to publicly comment on the Pentagon’s proposed plans or indicate whether he intends to approve any aspect of them.

The president has repeatedly suggested US troops could be deployed to secure Iran’s nuclear facilities and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route currently under Tehran’s control.

The White House has said Trump has been given “maximum optionality” on how to proceed in Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintaining that the US can meet its objectives “without any ground troops.”

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that any deployment of ground forces would be a clear escalation of the war and met with widespread retaliation.

Ghalibaf said Tehran’s forces are “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,” according to state media.

The parliament speaker, who is believed to be among the top Iranian officials negotiating with mediators, suggested no peace talks could go forward as long as the US continues to build up its forces in the region.

Ghalibaf ultimately slammed a proposal for peace talks to be held in Pakistan as a cover for the looming American invasion.

With Post wires