US President Donald Trump has again threatened possible military action against Iran, saying Washington could carry out another limited operation. Iranian officials have responded with a warning that renewed attacks could lead Tehran to target undersea internet cables in Gulf waters.
Trump made the remark during a rally in Florida on Friday. He said the United States could conduct “another small Operation Epic Fury”, but did not explain when a new action might happen or what form it would take.
The US military gave the name “Epic Fury” to the war against Iran that began on 28 February. Trump's latest comment therefore links his new threat to the earlier military campaign, although no schedule or operational details were provided.
Iran's warning over undersea cables
Two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters that Iran has plans to target subsea communications cables if the United States and Israel launch another attack. They did not specify the location or method of any possible strike.
One official said Iran could also obstruct cable repairs after cutting them. Such disruption could affect internet and other communications services for an extended period, according to the warning. The reported consequences could also reach banking and online commerce across Gulf countries.
Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs at Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said on Wednesday that Iran could target seven major internet cables running beneath the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.
Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei has separately warned of possible attacks on US-linked data centres and artificial intelligence facilities in the Gulf region. These statements add digital and communications infrastructure to the list of possible targets mentioned in the escalation warnings.
Trump says the war could end quickly
Trump previously told reporters outside the White House that the conflict could be ended quickly. He said the choice was between ending it completely and allowing it to weaken gradually.
He also said oil traffic was continuing through the Strait of Hormuz and stated that the United States was getting everything it wanted. The waterway is described in the report as highly important to global oil supplies.
Trump has issued differing statements about the timing of the conflict. At the beginning of October, he said the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections scheduled for 3 November.
Those elections will determine which party controls both chambers of the US Congress. The New York Times reported on 21 October that US and Israeli forces had planned renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections.
That report, citing US officials, identified Iranian energy facilities, nuclear sites and missile-drone stockpiles among the possible targets. The supplied information does not establish whether any such plan has been carried out.
Regional concerns and reported shipping damage
Foreign ministers from several countries, including France and Türkiye, warned on Friday that another military action against Iran could spread the conflict across the region and increase economic losses.
The report also says Iran's navy claimed to have damaged seven ships within 24 hours. Four were carrying oil, and the account says they were attacked at the same time before catching fire.
The report further states that tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz had fallen by 99% after the war. No additional details about the ships, the alleged attacks or the duration of the reduction are provided.
Conclusion
Trump has again raised the possibility of a military operation against Iran, while Iranian officials have warned of attacks on Gulf communications infrastructure if the United States and Israel strike again. The stated risks include disruption to internet services, banking, online business and regional trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What did Trump say about Iran?
Trump said the United States could carry out another small “Operation Epic Fury”. He did not give a date or operational details.
Q. What has Iran threatened to target?
Iranian officials warned that undersea internet and communications cables in the Gulf could be targeted after a renewed US-Israeli attack.
Q. How could cable damage affect the region?
The warning says damage and delays to repairs could disrupt internet and other communications services, with possible effects on banking and online business.
Q. How many major cables were mentioned?
Yadollah Javani referred to seven major internet cables running beneath the Strait of Hormuz.
Q. What other infrastructure was mentioned?
Mohsen Rezaei warned about possible attacks on US-linked data centres and artificial intelligence facilities in the Gulf region.
Q. What did Trump say about the Strait of Hormuz?
Trump said oil traffic was continuing through the strait and described it as an important route for global oil supplies.
Q. What did France and Türkiye warn about?
Their foreign ministers were among those warning that another attack could spread the war across the region and increase economic losses.
Q. What shipping damage did the report describe?
Iran's navy said seven ships were damaged within 24 hours, including four oil-carrying vessels that caught fire after a simultaneous attack.
