- US president says military action remains an option but signals willingness to negotiate, questioning whether Tehran would honour an agreement
US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch fresh military strikes against Iran as soon as Sunday, October 25, while also holding out the possibility of a major agreement with Tehran, leaving the region facing renewed uncertainty over whether the eight-month-old conflict will escalate or return to diplomacy.
Speaking to reporters in Florida on Saturday after casting his ballot in the midterm elections, Trump declined to reveal whether a decision to attack had been made but acknowledged that military action was under consideration.
“We’re thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of another strike. He added that a diplomatic agreement remained possible, saying there was also a chance of reaching what he described as a “nice, big, beautiful agreement” with Iran.
However, Trump questioned whether Tehran would honour any deal reached with Washington, casting doubt on the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough. He maintained that preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon remained a central objective of his administration’s approach.
The remarks followed Trump’s warning on Friday that the United States might carry out “another little Epic Fury”, referring to the name given to its military operation against Iran. Earlier, US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack had also said a US strike could take place during the weekend, although Trump initially told reporters he was unaware of the envoy’s remarks.
The latest statements come amid a prolonged diplomatic stalemate following months of fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran. A ceasefire and subsequent efforts to negotiate a more lasting settlement have failed to resolve major disputes, including Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.