WASHINGTON: The United States military is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East, three US officials told Reuters on Friday, as the US-Israeli war on Iran reached the three-week mark. No decision had been made to send troops into Iran itself, the officials told Reuters, but they will build up the capacity for future operations in the region.

Deployment of the rapid-response force fuels speculation of boots on the ground, a move many Americans are against.

U.S. considers troop deployments as Iran war escalates, evaluating options to secure oil passage and strengthen military operations.