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U.S. Seeks Diplomatic Solution for Iran Tension
(Washington Post) John Hudson - President Trump "wants to talk to the Iranians; he wants a deal" and is open to negotiation with the Iranian government to resolve tensions, a senior administration official said. Trump is not inclined to respond forcefully unless there is a "big move" from the Iranians, a senior White House official said. Still, the president is willing to respond forcefully if there are American deaths or a dramatic escalation, the official said. Pentagon and intelligence officials said that three distinct Iranian actions have triggered alarms: information suggesting an Iranian threat against U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Irbil; U.S. concerns that Iran may be preparing to mount rocket launchers on small ships in the Persian Gulf; and a directive from Ayatollah Khamenei to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and regular Iranian military units that some U.S. officials have interpreted as a potential threat to U.S. military and diplomatic personnel.