Trump Says US May Launch Another Military Operation Against Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington may launch another military operation against Iran, as the war approaches its eight-month mark and rising fuel prices weigh on the US midterm elections.

“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump told a rally in Florida, using the US military’s term for its war against Iran. He did not elaborate.

Earlier in the day, Trump said the United States could end the war quickly but questioned whether Washington should seek a swift conclusion or allow the conflict to gradually wind down.

Trump has offered shifting goals and timelines for the war. In recent campaign remarks, he has said the conflict will end soon, “one way or the other.”

Earlier this month, Trump said the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before the November 3 elections, which will determine control of Congress. His Republican Party currently holds narrow majorities in both chambers.

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, prompting Iranian strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed thousands of people and displaced millions.

The war has also driven up oil and gas prices worldwide. Iranian officials said Tehran was preparing a broader retaliation if the war resumed. Iran has drawn up detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States and Israel launch further attacks, according to two senior Iranian security officials.