FORT MYERS, Fla. — U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Friday that Washington could launch another military strike against Tehran, as the conflict with Iran approaches its eighth month and rising global energy costs weigh heavily on the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
Speaking at a campaign event in Florida, Trump floated the possibility of renewing targeted operations. "We may do another little Epic Fury," he told supporters, making reference to the military code name for the initial joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. He did not provide further technical details on potential targets.
Earlier in the day, Trump signaled mixed strategies regarding the war's timeline, telling reporters the U.S. possesses the capacity to end the confrontation quickly, while weighing whether to seek an immediate conclusion or allow operations to wind down gradually. Trump has repeatedly stated in recent public appearances that the conflict will draw to a close "one way or the other," while previously indicating that major new offensives would not occur prior to the November 3 congressional elections.
The military conflict began on February 28 following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes, which prompted Iranian retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in thousands of casualties, widespread displacement across parts of the Middle East, and persistent volatility in global oil and gas markets.
In response to potential renewed action, Iranian security officials warned that Tehran has prepared expanded retaliatory measures, including operational contingency plans targeting undersea telecommunications infrastructure in the Gulf if additional strikes occur.
