United States President Donald Trump has threatened renewed military action against Iran if Tehran fails to reach a diplomatic agreement with Washington, warning that the US could launch “another little Epic Fury”.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, Trump suggested that Iran should agree to negotiations rather than risk further military action. His remarks came after US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said a fresh strike on Iran could take place as early as this weekend.
“We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree,” Trump said, according to Fox News.
“If they're smart, they'll just say, 'Let's get down to business.' But, you know, I doubt they'll do that because perhaps they're not smart,” he added.
Trump also referred to previous US military operations against Iran, claiming that Washington had defeated the country militarily and financially.
“We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer. We defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise, and now we are ensuring it's done,” he said.
US ambassador says strike could happen this weekend
Barrack said on Friday that the possibility of another US strike against Iran remained open, including an operation as early as this weekend.
“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” Barrack told podcast host Mario Nawfal during an interview while visiting the Gulf.
However, the ambassador emphasised that Trump remained willing to pursue a diplomatic settlement with Tehran.
“President Donald Trump is very clear. He's open and available and accessible to a deal and we've been at the table for months and months and months,” Barrack said.
Barrack serves as Washington's point person on Syria but does not have a direct role in shaping US policy towards Iran.
Trump says he is unaware of plans for an immediate strike
Trump subsequently distanced himself from Barrack's assessment, saying he did not know of any plan to launch an attack on Iran over the weekend.
During an exchange with reporters, Trump was asked about the ambassador's remarks and whether they indicated a departure from his decision to hold off on further action until after the US midterm elections.
“That was my ambassador? He's a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that's the case, I don't know anything about that,” Trump replied.
The remarks have added to uncertainty over Washington's next steps towards Tehran, with the US midterm elections scheduled for the first week of November.
Previous US and Israeli strikes on Iran
The latest warnings follow the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran in February, conducted under the name Operation Epic Fury. The strikes resulted in the killing of Iran's then Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with members of his family.
Trump also invoked Operation Midnight Hammer, a separate US military operation targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, and claimed that it had destroyed the country's nuclear enrichment capabilities.
His latest comments signal that military action remains an option if diplomatic efforts fail, even as he maintains that Tehran can avoid further strikes by agreeing to negotiations.