WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is deploying the USS Tripoli and up to 5,000 military service members to the Middle East after President Trump vowed Friday to unleash “unparalleled firepower” on the “deranged scumbags” leading Iran.

The U.S. deploys 2,200 Marines aboard the USS Tripoli to the Middle East amid rising Iran tensions. The amphibious warship carries F-35Bs to protect vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.

Iran has increased attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply and a significant share of global liquefied natural gas exports.

The American military has ordered 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, a U.S. official said Friday, in a major addition of forces in the region after nearly two weeks of war with Iran.

Roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship are headed for the Middle East, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans,

The American military has ordered 2,500 marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, a U.S. official said Friday, while Iran continued to launch widespread missile and drone attacks on Israel and neighbouring Gulf states.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The American military has ordered 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, a U.S. official said Friday, in a major addition of forces in the region after nearly two weeks of war with Iran.

In a first, recent CCTV footage shows a lightweight uncrewed helicopter parked on the Chinese military’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship.