The independent Pentagon

AP's U.S./Iran stories always contain this qualifier:

Bush administration officials have repeatedly declined to rule out the use of force against Iran, though they have also said their first choice is to rely on diplomacy.

Here is the lede:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon is considering a buildup of Navy forces in the Persian Gulf as a show of force against Iran, a senior defense official said Tuesday.

"The Pentagon is considering ..." Yeah, right. This is what passes for "diplomacy" nowadays -- threatening use of force, not negotiations.