say. >> we will not let iran get away with using a proxy force to attack an american interest. iran will be head accountable for those instances. if they are responsible for the arming and training of these militia we will go to the source. >> interview with cnn there. that language draws an image, think, of the u.s. and iran standing at a line, phil, and kind of this staredown. with that said, how close is the u.s. to some sort of real altercation with iran, do you think? >> i don't think very close but let'snd. we have opportunities in the united states short of some direct confrontation with the iranians. i mentioned early iranian activities with militias in places like yemen and syria. you could easily see the americans say we want to up the ante how we either directly engage with the iranian-backed militias or help other countries like saudi arabia engage with