Washington/Tehran — US President Donald Trump has threatened another military operation against Iran, saying Tehran must reach an agreement with Washington or face renewed attacks. In response, Iran’s armed forces chief has warned that American warships will not be allowed to re-enter the Persian Gulf.
Speaking at an election rally in Florida on Friday, October 23, Trump said the United States could carry out another “little Epic Fury-type operation” or Iran could agree to a deal.
Trump said that if Iranian leaders were acting sensibly, they would propose beginning serious negotiations with Washington. However, he expressed doubts about whether the Iranian leadership was prepared to take that step.
The remarks come amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with rising fuel prices also emerging as a significant domestic political issue ahead of the US midterm elections.
Iran Warns US Warships Against Entering Persian Gulf
Iranian Armed Forces Chief Ali Abdollahi has declared that American warships will not be permitted to enter the Persian Gulf again.
According to his remarks, the prospect of US naval forces returning to the strategic waterway is merely a dream for Trump.
Abdollahi said the US president would carry that dream to his grave, adding that Iran would not allow American military vessels to enter the Persian Gulf under any circumstances or at any time.
The statement signals Tehran’s continued opposition to a renewed US military presence in the strategically important region.
IRGC Navy Claims US Forces Have Moved Away from Strait of Hormuz
A day earlier, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that US forces had moved approximately 600 to 700 kilometers away from the Strait of Hormuz.
The claim has not been independently verified in the information provided.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage for global energy supplies, making any military escalation in the surrounding waters a potential concern for international shipping and energy markets.
Military Threats Complicate Prospects for Negotiations
Trump’s latest remarks suggest that Washington is keeping the option of further military action open while pressing Iran to reach an agreement. Tehran, meanwhile, has responded with warnings against the return of American warships to the Persian Gulf.
Neither statement, by itself, confirms that a new military operation is imminent or that negotiations have been ruled out.
The situation remains tense as both sides exchange warnings, with the possibility of renewed military confrontation continuing to cast uncertainty over regional security and maritime traffic.