Washington, Mar 14 (V7N) — The United States is planning to deploy around 2,200 Marines to the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to escalate, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

American officials say the deployment is being considered as the regional conflict involving Iran risks expanding further, raising security concerns for U.S. forces and allies in the region.

According to a report by ABC News, Washington is considering placing the Marines aboard three U.S. naval warships currently operating in the Middle East. The move is aimed at strengthening the military presence and ensuring rapid response capability if the conflict widens.

A U.S. defense official said the Marines would be drawn from the U.S. Marine Corps units stationed in Okinawa, Japan, one of the largest American military bases in the Asia-Pacific region.

The official noted that the deployment remains part of contingency planning as Washington closely monitors developments in the Middle East. The United States has increased its military readiness in recent weeks due to fears that the confrontation involving Iran could trigger broader regional instability.

Defense analysts say the possible deployment of additional Marines indicates growing concern within the Pentagon about the potential for the conflict to spread beyond its current scope.

The U.S. Department of Defense has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the planned deployment.

The development comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, where the United States and its allies remain on high alert over the possibility of further escalation involving Iran and other regional actors.

END/WD/AJ/