Military action is only contemplated in response to an attack by Pyongyang.
Any U.S. military intervention would likely cause uproar in the region.
President Trump and Pyongyang exchange rhetorical barrages as U.S. allies and other world powers urge a cooling-off.
The U.S. president and North Korea ratcheted up the rhetoric even as world leaders worried the verbal salvos were going too far.
The president said “things will happen to them they never thought possible” should Pyongyang mount any attack.
The president had discussed escalating his rhetoric, but his promise of “fire and fury” was not formally vetted through the national security process.
North Korea had threatened ‘physical action’ following new U.N. sanctions.
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to ban exports that supply up to a third of North Korea’s annual $3 billion earnings.
A State Department special envoy said new policies are leading to rapid gains against the militants in Syria and Iraq.
The administration is “reviewing our options,” White House spokeswoman says.
