Trump warns Iran of ‘another little Epic Fury’ as US envoy says strikes could happen this weekend

US-Iran tensions rise as Trump hints at renewed military action and US Ambassador Tom Barrack says a strike against Iran is possible as early as this weekend

PGurus Newsdesk

October 24, 2026

Latest warnings come ahead of the US midterm elections in early November

Trump says renewed military action remains possible if Iran fails to reach a diplomatic agreement

US President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of renewed military action against Iran if Tehran fails to reach a diplomatic agreement with Washington. Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, Trump also referred to his administration’s previous national security decisions and criticised Iran’s leadership.

“We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree,” Trump said, as reported by Fox News.

He added that Iran should agree to negotiate if its leaders were being sensible. “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,” he said.

In February, the US and Israel jointly launched strikes against Iran under Operation Epic Fury. The military operation resulted in the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family.

Trump also referred to an earlier US operation targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “We obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer. We defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise, and now we are ensuring it’s done,” he said.

His remarks came after a US diplomat suggested that American strikes against Iran could resume soon. Trump had earlier said he was unaware of any plans for a fresh operation.

US ambassador says strike could happen this weekend

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said on Friday that a strike against Iran could take place as early as this weekend.

“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” Barrack told podcast host Mario Nawfal during an interview while visiting the Gulf.

However, Barrack emphasised that Trump remained open to reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

“President Donald Trump is very clear. He’s open and available and accessible to a deal and we’ve been at the table for months and months and months,” Barrack said.

Barrack serves as Washington’s point person on Syria but does not have a direct role in US policy towards Iran.

Trump says he was unaware of possible strike plans

Responding to Barrack’s remarks, Trump said he did not know about any such plan.

A reporter asked Trump whether the US had reversed its decision to hold off on military action until after the midterm elections, citing the ambassador’s statement that a strike could happen that weekend.

“That was my ambassador? He’s a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that’s the case, I don’t know anything about that,” Trump replied.

The latest warnings come ahead of the US midterm elections, scheduled for the first week of November, as uncertainty continues over Washington’s next move towards Iran.

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