The United States announced Tuesday that Iran may take part in talks to end the civil war in Syria and warned of increased military action against the Daesh.
On the military front, the Pentagon said it may launch more air strikes and even direct ground attacks by special forces in Iraq and Syria.
And on the diplomatic side, the State Department said it expected Damascus's key ally Iran to be invited to a new round of talks in Vienna this week on a political solution.
"An invitation to Iran to participate, I think Iranian leaders can take to mean that it's a genuine multilateral invitation," department spokesman John Kirby said.
US officials would not say which power would pass the invitation to Tehran and did not know if Iran would accept, but they said it would be welcome to attend.
Testifying to lawmakers, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said US forces would not shy away from "direct action on the ground" if they see a chance to hit Daesh targets.
Bent on power
Carter described the strategy as centered on the "three Rs" -- raids, Raqa and Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province, held by Daesh forces since May.
"We are willing to continue providing more enabling capabilities and fire support to help our Iraqi partners succeed," Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
But CIA Director John Brennan said the Russians have in sight a political transition in Syria where Assad would eventually step down.
"Despite what they say I believe the Russian do not see Assad in Syria's future," Brennan said.
"I think the Russians understand that there is not a military solution to Syria, that there needs to be some kind of political process." Agencies