Article snippet: MORE’s apparent threat of military action against Iran has left members of the foreign policy establishment looking for clues as to whether it signals a change in the U.S. approach toward Tehran. The president raised eyebrows late Sunday when he issued a tweet, written in all capital letters, directed at Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. “NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE,” Trump wrote. “WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!” The tweet sparked concerns in the U.S. as well as abroad, but Trump administration officials appeared reluctant to clarify it. The Pentagon, for its part, kept quiet on what amounted to another Trump-induced headache, not holding its semiregular off-camera Monday briefing and releasing a generic statement on the activities of the U.S. military in the region. “Forces continue to work with our partners to provide freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce and to promote security and stability in the region,” Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich said. Rebarich would not say whether the military would be adjusting its forces in the region to deal with any fallout, including stepping up protections. She added, however, that U.S. forces “are more than capable at defending themselves should the need arise.” Asked Monday what prompted the tweet, White House p... Link to the full article to read more