Obama wants more diplomacy as concerns grow over Iran As speculation grows that Israel is preparing a military strike, Iranian state television has been broadcasting pictures of Iranian troops on exercise. In response, the United States President Barack Obama has warned that there are important risks to consider before any action is taken. Any kind of additional military activity inside the Gulf is disruptive and has a big effect on us. It could have a big effect on oil prices. We've still got troops in Afghanistan, which borders Iran. And so our preferred solution here is diplomatic," Obama during a television interview. Israel may not yet have decided what to do but Prime Minister Binjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has agreed that boosting its military capability is the best way forward. More about: Armed conflicts, Barack Obama, Iran, Israel, USA