US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat of military action against Iran. Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday, he referred to the US military operation against Iran and said: "We may do another little Epic Fury." He gave no indication of when such an operation might take place.
The remarks follow reports that the US military and the Israeli military have drawn up options for renewed joint strikes on Iran, most likely after the midterm elections, according to sources. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, however, said the United States would not attack Iran at any time before the midterms. There is no indication that Trump has ordered an attack, and negotiations remain possible.
Public unease over the war
With the November 3 elections approaching, dissatisfaction with the war is widespread. A Pew Research Center survey of 5,062 US adults, conducted from September 28 to October 4, found 65 per cent disapproved of Trump's handling of the military action against Iran, while 33pc approved. Some 73pc were extremely or very concerned about higher fuel prices and 71pc about US troops being wounded or killed, and nearly half expected the action to last more than another year.
Another poll published on October 22 found roughly seven in ten registered voters wanted the next Congress to make ending the Iran war a top priority. Congress can shape the conflict through oversight hearings and its control of federal spending, and lawmakers can invoke the War Powers Resolution to challenge military action.