Trump warns Iran of potential strike if deal not reached

US President Donald Trump said Washington could launch another military operation against Iran, raising the prospect of renewed attacks as the conflict approaches its eighth month. Tehran, meanwhile, has drawn up plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States and Israel resume their military campaign. “We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said at a rally in Florida on Friday, referring to the name given by the US military to its war against Iran, which began on February 28. He did not elaborate on the possibility of another operation.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington may carry out another military operation against Iran. “We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said at a rally in Fort Myers, Florida. Earlier Friday, Trump said the United States could end the war quickly but questioned whether it should seek a swift conclusion or allow the conflict to gradually wind down.

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 23, 2026

Earlier on Friday, Trump said the United States could bring the war to an end quickly but questioned whether Washington should pursue an immediate conclusion or allow the conflict to gradually lose momentum. He also said oil was continuing to move through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies, adding, “We are getting everything we want.”
Tehran, meanwhile, has been preparing its response to another potential round of attacks, with its threats increasingly directed at infrastructure beyond Iran’s borders. Two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters that Tehran had developed plans to strike undersea communications cables in the Persian Gulf if the United States and Israel resumed military operations. One official said Iran could also seek to prevent repairs to prolong the disruption. The Wall Street Journal separately reported that Iran had threatened to attack airports, pipelines and other civilian and economic infrastructure in neighboring Persian Gulf countries if US-Israeli strikes resumed.
Foreign ministers from several countries warned on Friday that another military offensive against Iran could widen the conflict and trigger further economic consequences. Their comments followed a meeting in Istanbul attended by representatives from Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Italy.