Washington, Oct. 24 -- US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of another round of military strikes if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington, raising concerns over renewed hostilities in the Middle East. His remarks came shortly after US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggested that American forces could launch fresh strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, although Trump subsequently distanced himself from the envoy's statement and said he was unaware of any such plans.
Addressing a Republican campaign rally in Florida on Friday, Trump referred to the earlier US military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, and indicated that Washington could undertake another operation if diplomatic efforts failed. The warning comes as the conflict approaches its eighth month, with negotiations between the two countries remaining deadlocked and uncertainty continuing over the future of Iran's nuclear programme.
"We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree," Trump said, suggesting that Tehran should return to negotiations. He added that Iranian leaders should recognise the advantages of reaching an agreement, although he did not specify the conditions Iran would have to meet to avoid further military action.
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The possibility of renewed military action gained attention after Barrack, who also serves as Washington's point person on Syria, suggested that an attack could take place over the weekend.
During an interview with podcast host Mario Nawfal while visiting the Gulf region, Barrack was asked whether American forces could strike Iran within the next few days. He responded affirmatively but stressed that Trump remained willing to pursue a diplomatic settlement.
Barrack said the US administration had been engaged in discussions for several months and maintained that the President remained open to reaching an agreement. He also argued that continued Iranian threats against American interests and regional allies could have consequences.
However, Barrack does not have a direct role in shaping Washington's Iran policy, and his remarks did not constitute an official announcement of an imminent military operation.
Asked by reporters about the envoy's comments, Trump appeared surprised and questioned whether Barrack had the authority to make such a statement. The President said he had no knowledge of plans for a weekend strike, introducing further uncertainty over Washington's immediate intentions.
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During his Florida address, Trump highlighted previous American military operations against Iran and claimed that they had severely weakened the country's nuclear and military capabilities.
Operation Epic Fury was launched by the United States and Israel in February 2026, triggering a wider conflict that has continued for several months. The initial strikes killed Iran's then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family, marking a major escalation in hostilities.
Trump also referred to Operation Midnight Hammer, an earlier American operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. He claimed that the strikes had destroyed Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities and substantially reduced Tehran's military strength.
The President portrayed the operations as evidence of Washington's willingness to use force to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, his statements about the extent of damage to Iran's nuclear programme remain claims by the US administration, rather than independently established assessments of the country's remaining capabilities.
Trump has repeatedly maintained that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons is a central objective of American policy. At the same time, his administration has continued to signal that an agreement remains possible if Tehran accepts Washington's conditions.
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The latest statements have also drawn attention to differences in messaging from senior American officials. The White House had earlier indicated that the United States would not resume military attacks against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, when Americans will vote to determine control of Congress.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly had explicitly ruled out strikes before the elections, although the administration continued to maintain that military options remained available to Trump.
Barrack's suggestion that an operation could take place over the weekend appeared inconsistent with that position. Trump's subsequent response did little to clarify whether Washington was reconsidering its earlier commitment or whether the envoy had simply been discussing a hypothetical possibility.
The uncertainty comes as the conflict has become an increasingly important domestic political issue in the United States. Rising energy prices and the economic consequences of prolonged hostilities have added pressure on the administration ahead of the congressional elections.
Trump had earlier suggested that Washington could bring the conflict to a conclusion quickly but questioned whether an immediate settlement would be preferable to maintaining pressure on Tehran.
The President has not announced a new military operation or provided a timetable for further action.
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Iran has responded to the possibility of renewed American military action with warnings of retaliation, raising concerns about a wider confrontation across the Gulf region.
According to reports citing an Iranian official, Tehran has considered targeting undersea communications cables and American military facilities if the United States and Israel launch additional attacks.
The official warned Washington against further escalation and suggested that Iranian retaliation could extend beyond conventional military targets.
The reported threats have heightened concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, including communications networks and energy transportation routes in the Gulf.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also warned that further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could endanger civilians, regional stability and the global economy.
The strategically important waterway remains central to the confrontation because of its role in international oil shipments. Any major disruption to maritime traffic could have consequences for energy supplies and prices well beyond the Middle East.
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The latest warnings have coincided with heightened American security precautions across the Middle East.
The US State Department is reducing staffing at its embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates following intelligence assessments indicating increased threats against American personnel.
According to an Associated Press report, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton informed Secretary of State Marco Rubio that US intelligence agencies had identified advanced Iranian plots targeting American citizens and personnel in the Middle East and elsewhere.
American officials said the staffing reductions were precautionary and denied that they were connected to preparations for fresh US-Israeli strikes against Iran.
The United States had also ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel from diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The security measures underscore the risks facing American diplomatic missions as the confrontation continues, although the reported intelligence assessments do not establish that another military operation is imminent.
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Despite the renewed threats, American officials have continued to describe diplomacy as a possible route towards ending the conflict.
Barrack said Washington was not seeking regime change in Iran and suggested that the administration's immediate objective was to secure an agreement that would address security threats to the United States and its regional allies.
His position contrasts with statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly called for the removal of Iran's current leadership.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has indicated that Washington could maintain its maritime restrictions on Iranian ports for an extended period, although he disputed suggestions that the administration had committed itself to a prolonged confrontation.
The conflicting statements reflect continuing uncertainty over the administration's immediate military intentions and its longer-term objectives in Iran.
For now, Trump's warning and Barrack's comments have raised the prospect of another confrontation, but no confirmed decision to launch fresh strikes has been announced.
With negotiations stalled and regional security concerns mounting, the coming days will be closely watched for indications of whether Washington intends to intensify military pressure or renew efforts towards a diplomatic settlement.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.