Pakistan, Jan. 23 -- US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a "massive fleet" of American naval forces was being sent toward the Gulf, citing close monitoring of Iran, even as he emphasized that he preferred diplomacy over immediate military action. Trump made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he also reiterated that Tehran appeared open to talks.

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The announcement comes in the aftermath of Washington's involvement in Israel's 12-day war last June, aimed at weakening Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. While Trump repeatedly left the door open for potential new military operat...