France says Iran military clash 'almost inevitable' without deal
Summary:

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said a military confrontation with Iran is almost inevitable if a 2015 nuclear deal lapses and a new agreement is not reached.

A Pentagon spokesperson warned that the United States would take "decisive action to defend our people" if Iran or its armed allies threatened American forces in the Middle East.

The US military has deployed long range bombers at a strategic Indian Ocean airbase, a move which presaged major bombing campaigns against Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

The White House is seriously considering Iran's proposal for indirect nuclear talks, Axios reported on Wednesday citing sources, as it beefs up US forces in the Middle East.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Monday the US would receive a 'strong blow' if US President Donald Trump followed through on threats to bomb the country.

Trump warned Iran would be bombed if it did not agree to a new nuclear deal, prompting a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to moot the pursuit of a bomb in the event of an attack.

Republican lawmakers on Tuesday urged a tougher line on Washington's Mideast adversary Tehran and outlined plans for new legislation targeting the Islamic Republic as tensions have soared in recent days.

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