The United States is preparing to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East as the war with Iran intensifies, according to American officials.

ABC News reports that Washington plans to send roughly 2,200 Marines to the region aboard three ships.

A US defence official told Al Jazeera the unit will depart from the Marine Corps base in Okinawa, Japan, to support ongoing military operations.

The official said the deployment involves about 2,500 personnel travelling with naval vessels and added that the force would be able to carry out evacuation missions as well as amphibious operations if needed.