US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington may carry out another military operation against Iran at a time when the war is nearing its eight-month mark and as rising fuel prices weigh on the US midterm elections.
"We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said in remarks at a rally in Florida as he spoke about the war. He did not elaborate.
Trump on Thursday accused Iran of fabricating reports of attacks on oil tankers and naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz to drive up oil prices in a post on Truth Social.
US, Israel weighing renewed strikes against Iran after midterms
The New York Times reported on Thursday that the US and Israeli militaries have both developed plans for renewed strikes to begin after the midterms, citing US officials and individuals briefed on the matter.
According to the report, the strikes would be short but intense, and likely focused on Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and weapons.
Officials told the NYT that earlier this month, Washington and Jerusalem came close to ordering new strikes before Trump reportedly decided against the move at the last minute.
On October 16, Trump confirmed that Washington is weighing strikes on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site if military operations are renewed, in an interview with Newsmax.
Asher Smith, Tzvi Jasper, and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.