Washington ? The United States is planning to accelerate the flow of U.S. forces into the Persian Gulf region to prepare for a possible invasion of Iraq, according to senior U.S. officials.

Up to 100,000 U.S. troops, plus naval and air forces, could begin moving immediately after the holidays and be in place by the end of January or early February, according to a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity and cautioned that plans were subject to change. The U.S. forces could be joined by about 20,000 British troops and forces from other countries willing to fight Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.