President Barack Obama said the United States had a good fix on the progress of Iran's nuclear program and had long prepared a military response in the Gulf should it become necessary.

Obama made his latest attempt to calm speculation about a possible Israeli or U.S. strike on Iran in the short-term in an interview aired on NBC Monday, but said it was tough to figure out political dynamics inside the Islamic republic.

"We do have a pretty good bead on what is happening with their nuclear program," Obama said.

"Do we know all the dynamics inside of Iran ? -- absolutely not.

"One of the difficulties is Iran itself is a lot more divided now than it was, knowing who is making decisions at any given time inside of Iran is tough.

Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney has accused Obama of not sufficiently laying the groundwork for any military action against Iran 's nuclear program, but Obama disagreed.

"We have done extensive planning over the last several years about all our various options... we are prepared to exercise these options should the need arise," he said, but stressed he was seeking a diplomatic solution to the showdown.

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