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\n As speculation increases over a possible US ground operation against Iran, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli<\/a>, believed to be carrying around 1,800 Marines, is in the Indian Ocean, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a social media post Monday.\n <\/p>\n \n A photo showed the 45,000-ton warship steaming in the Indian Ocean on Sunday, according to the CENTCOM post. It did not indicate how far the ship is from Iran.\n <\/p>\n \n The Tripoli is carrying troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based in Okinawa, according to photos from March 26 posted on a Defense Department website. The photos show Marines participating in a \u201cship defense exercise.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n The Tripoli can carry about 1,850 Marines, along with its crew of 1,200 sailors, according to a Navy fact sheet. The amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), can carry an additional 700 Marines.\n <\/p>\n \n US President Donald Trump has suggested US forces could seize Iran\u2019s Kharg Island, through which 90% of Tehran\u2019s oil exports flow. Iran has threatened wipe out any US troops attempting to land on its territory as well as ramp up attacks on global oil supplies.\n <\/p>\n \n Along with the 31st MEU Marines aboard the Tripoli, the 11th MEU with as many as 2,200 Marines has reportedly been ordered to the Middle East.\n <\/p>\n