US Could Strike Iran as Early as This Weekend
The United States could launch another strike against Iran as early as this weekend, following an escalation in threats from Washington and Israel.
US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, who also handles US affairs in Syria, floated the timeframe of “this weekend” in an interview with podcast host Mario Nawfal on Friday (23 October), local time, AFP reported on Saturday (24 October 2026).
“Is a strike this weekend possible? Of course,” Barrack said. He has no direct role in matters relating to Iran.
Barrack said President Donald Trump had been “very clear” about Washington’s position in its conflict with Tehran.
“He is open and willing to reach an agreement, and we have been at the negotiating table for months,” Barrack said in the interview, excerpts of which were broadcast by Israel’s military radio station.
Trump, who is both Barrack’s business partner and friend, responded casually when asked to confirm the possibility of a US strike on Iran this weekend.
“Is that my ambassador? He seems like quite an influential person. If so, I know absolutely nothing about it,” Trump told reporters.
Trump hints at new US military operation against Iran
However, while speaking at a midterm election campaign event for the Republican Party in Florida on Friday (23 October), Trump suggested that the US might launch a new military operation against Iran.
In his speech, Trump referred to “Operation Midnight Hammer” and “Operation Epic Fury”, two US military operations against Iran which he claimed had severely damaged Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.
“We eliminated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity through Operation Midnight Hammer,” Trump told supporters.
“You remember that late-night event, one of them, and we finished the rest through Operation Epic Fury,” he said.
Trump then raised the possibility of further military action if Iran did not agree to resolve the conflict through negotiations.
“We might do another little ‘Epic Fury’, or they will agree [to negotiate],” Trump said.
“If they are smart, they will say straight away, ‘Let’s discuss this seriously’,” the US president said, referring to Iran, while adding that he doubted Tehran would take that step.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed in recent days to overthrow Iran’s clerical government.