By Dietrich Knauth and Tom Hals WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court let Donald Trump retain control on Thursday of California's National Guard while the state's Democratic governor proceeds with a lawsuit challenging the Republican president's use of the troops to quell protests in Los Angeles.

The White House announced Thursday that President Donald Trump will decide if the United States will "go" to Iran in the next two weeks. "There is a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future.

The United States is ramping up efforts to protect Americans worldwide, as President Donald Trump mulls wading into Israel’s conflict with Iran. The actions come as Iran’s Islamist leader warned of “irreparable damage” if Washington joins the escalating volley of airstrikes aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear ambitions.