US 'prepares for major escalation' in Iran war as thousands head to Middle East

The White House has revealed that they are preparing for ground operations in Iran, following the deployment of thousands of US troops to the region.

Just days after President Donald Trump claims a ceasefire was reached with the Middle Eastern nation, threats were issued by Iran and a 'peace plan' was suggested by the American leader, they are set to get ready for war.

Officials have said that they are gearing up for a 'major escalation', but highlighted that if any military action were to unfold, it wouldn't be an all-out invasion of Iran.

Sources told The Washington Post that the US will look to use Special Operations forces along with infantry troops on the ground, though it is not clear if Trump has approved the Pentagon's reported plans.

Iran has been struck numerous times by the US and Israel (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

The news comes after the USS Tripoli arrived in the region on Friday (27 March), bringing 3,500 sailors and Marines closer to the action.

Onboard the vessel was the the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit who are based in Japan, as they were ordered to relocate almost two weeks ago.

While US Central Command confirmed the addition of the Marines, the Tripoli also provides transport and strike fighter aircraft to the region.

The vessel isn't alone though, as the USS Boxer and two other ships, including another Marine Expeditionary Unit, have been ordered to head towards the region from San Diego, California.

Trump spoke of the ongoing negotiations with Iran, seemingly calling the Strait of Hormuz, the 'Strait of Trump'.

"We're negotiating now, and it’d be great if we could do something, but they have to open it up," he said on Friday (27 March).

He added: "It's sort of finished, but it's not finished. It's got to be finished."

The President is yet to decide on sending another 10,000 troops to the Middle East, to provide more options for the US and its allies, though the Trump administration continually claims that an end to the war is likely near.

Thousands of Marines and sailors have been deployed to the Middle East (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

At least 13 US soldiers have died since the start of the conflict in February, with an Iranian missile strike at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday wounding 15.

US and Arab officials said that one missile and numerous unmanned aerial vehicles struck, as two soldiers were left 'very seriously injured', while several plans were damaged.

It was one of the most severe breaches of US air defenses since the war began, as it is estimated that over 300 US troops have been wounded in the conflict, according to the US Central Command.