India, Nov. 2 -- US President Donald Trump has sidestepped direct inquiries regarding whether his administration plans to launch fresh military strikes against Iran, offering a characteristic retort of strategic ambiguity as diplomatic friction grips the Middle East.

Caught by journalists outside his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, the US President was pressed on whether Washington intended to escalate operations against Tehran in the wake of ongoing regional skirmishes and disrupted maritime trade lanes.

Addressing reporters directly, Trump dismissed the prospect of telegraphing military intentions. "Would I tell you?" the US President responded, refusing to confirm or deny the imminence of new offensive manoeuvres while maintaining that t...