The Pentagon is deploying an amphibious assault ship along with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the Middle East due to the ongoing tensions with Iran, according to U.S. news outlets reporting on Friday.

China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, PLAN Sichuan, departed from Shanghai on Friday morning to begin its inaugural navigation test mission.

On Friday, China launched a new amphibious assault ship capable of deploying fighter jets, aiming to enhance its maritime combat capabilities, News.az reports citing Deutsche Welle.