Trump signals fresh military action against Iran if deal not reached, warns of 'epic fury'
PTC News Desk: US President Donald Trump has hinted at possible fresh military action against Iran, saying Washington could launch another operation if Tehran fails to reach a deal with the United States.
His remarks came hours after US envoy Tom Barrack said American strikes against Iran could take place as early as this weekend. Questioning Tehran’s strategic foresight, Trump said, "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."
“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said at a rally in Florida on Friday, referring to the US military’s name for its war against Iran.
Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and Washington’s point person on Syria, said during an interview with podcast host Mario Nawfal while visiting the Gulf that a strike could happen soon.
“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” Barrack said.
Trump downplays envoy's remarks
Before the rally, Trump appeared to distance himself from Barrack’s comments when asked whether the US could attack Iran over the weekend. Later, Trump referred to the presence of US Navy forces in the Caribbean and joked about American warships returning from the Middle East potentially confronting Cuba before Senator Marco Rubio could complete his diplomatic objectives.
US could end war quickly: Trump
Earlier on Friday, Trump said the United States could end the war with Iran quickly. However, he questioned whether Washington should bring the conflict to an immediate end or allow it to gradually lose momentum.
“We could end it very quickly,” Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn, adding that the question was whether the US should finish the war or let it “wither”.
Trump also said oil was continuing to flow through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies. “We are getting everything we want,” he said.
Trump has made varying statements about the war’s objectives and timeline. Earlier this month, he said the US would not attack Iran before next month’s midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. His remarks came amid reports of discussions between Washington and Tehran on ending the conflict.
A New York Times report on Wednesday said US and Israeli militaries had prepared plans for renewed strikes after the midterm elections. Citing US officials, the report said possible targets included Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone capabilities.
Foreign ministers from several countries warned on Friday that renewed military action against Iran could widen the conflict and cause further economic damage. Their comments followed a meeting in Istanbul attended by representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Iran prepares plan to target undersea cables
Amid growing fears of renewed attacks, Iran has drawn up plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the US and Israel launch another offensive, according to two senior Iranian security officials who spoke to Reuters.
The officials, who spoke anonymously, provided few details about how or where such attacks might be carried out. One official said Tehran could also try to prevent repairs after cables were cut, potentially extending disruptions to internet services and other communications.
“If Iran is attacked, there will be no more red lines ... from undersea cables to military bases, including covert ones,” one official said, warning Washington not to “play with fire”. The official claimed Iran had full access to the cables and could destroy them.
On Wednesday, Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Iran could target seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.
- PTC NEWS
