US President Donald Trump on Friday denied friction with his hawkish foreign policy advisers on Iran, specifically giving statements of support to White House national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Mr Trump called "bull****" a variety of news reports that he had chafed at his advisers and privately expressed concerns that they were trying to steer him into a war with Iran.
US officials said on Thursday that Mr Trump had told his advisers, including acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, that he did not want to get into a war with Iran.
"They (the news media) put out messages that I'm angry with my people. I'm not angry with my people. I make my own decisions," said Mr Trump. "Mike Pompeo is doing a great job. Bolton is doing a great job."
Mr Trump won the 2016 election in part by promising to stay out of conflicts abroad after what he viewed as costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But he also has made clear he will do what it takes to protect US interests abroad. The recent deployment of a US aircraft carrier group has raised tensions in the Gulf region and fanned fears of armed conflict.
Mr Trump has approved sanctions against Tehran aimed at crippling the Iranian economy and forcing Iranian leaders to the negotiating table. The United States wants Iran to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and stop other activities it believes are destabilising in the Middle East.
Mr Bolton has a long reputation as a hawk who believes the United States needs to get tough with Iran and has pushed a hard line inside the administration since joining the White House more than a year ago.
While he has been tough on Iran, Mr Trump has made clear that he is the one who is in charge, telling reporters last week that he sometimes has to "temper" Mr Bolton.
"We are all frustrated with this notion that we are escalating, that we are seeking conflict," said a senior administration official. "Nothing could be further from the truth. We are seeking de-escalation."
The official was asked about the notion of Mr Bolton and Mr Pompeo trying to "herd" Mr Trump down the path of war. "Herding Trump down any path is an unsuccessful strategy. There are many witnesses to that," the official said.
Mr Bolton's views on Iran are well-documented, the official said, but stressed, "He has no allusions. He serves the president and he accepted this job because he believes in the president's policies, and he carries them out."
As for Mr Trump's overture to Iran seeking direct talks, there are no indications from the Iranians that they are ready to engage, the official said: "Not yet. We're sitting by the phone."
US intelligence showed heightened activity by Iran or its proxies that US officials took as a threat against American targets in the region.
