Trump Says U.S. May Strike Iran Again or Reach a Deal

President Donald Trump said October 23 that the United States might launch another military operation against Iran or reach a deal with Tehran, while saying he did not know whether a strike could happen that weekend. Speaking at a midterm campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump referred to the U.S. operation known as Epic Fury and said Iran could agree to negotiations. He did not announce a decision to resume attacks. His remarks left open both further military action and a diplomatic agreement. Earlier that day, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said a strike against Iran could occur over the weekend. Barrack also said Trump was open to a deal and that the two sides had been negotiating. Asked about the envoy’s comments before the rally, Trump said he did not know about a possible strike. Trump had said earlier in October that the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. The rally remarks did not specify whether that position had changed. Barrack’s comment about a possible weekend strike was not confirmation that an operation had been authorized, and Trump did not confirm one. The president said Washington could continue its...