Strike Iran ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ or Reach a ‘Big, Beautiful’ Deal? Trump Keeps Both Options Open

US President Donald Trump has suggested Washington could strike Iran “maybe tomorrow”, while leaving open the possibility of an agreement, as Tehran disputed reports of a fresh proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters after casting his midterm ballot alongside First Lady Melania Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, Trump declined to specify whether another attack was planned.

“Do you really think I’d tell you that? Maybe tomorrow…There’s a possibility I will. There’s also a possibility we’ll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement,” he said.

“They want to make a deal, but the problem is, will they hold the deal?”

His remarks offered no firm timetable for military action or details of a possible settlement.

MILITARY THREAT ALONGSIDE DEAL TALK

Trump defended his administration’s campaign against Iran and praised American forces, claiming they had destroyed every Iranian fighter jet and sunk 259 ships.

“Our Navy and military have done an amazing job,” he said.

At a separate campaign rally in Florida, Trump warned that Washington could launch “another little Epic Fury” if Tehran did not agree to a deal.

“We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree,” he told supporters.

Trump has said he wants an agreement that permanently prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

IRAN DENIES A NEW HORMUZ PROPOSAL

Iranian media, meanwhile, rejected a report that Tehran had offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington lifting its naval blockade.

According to Press TV, sources cited by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency said Iran had sent no new proposal through Pakistani mediators. They described the report carried by a Saudi Arabian outlet as “a lie and fabrication”.

That denial concerned a reported new offer. On October 18, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said an earlier proposal to reopen the strait within seven days remained on the table.

“Our situation is clear and based on the seven-days proposal presented to the US. They shared comments which we are reviewing,” Araghchi said in Baghdad.

He accused Washington of lacking honesty, while maintaining that a route towards reopening the waterway was available.

COMPETING CLAIMS OVER THE PERSIAN GULF

The Revolutionary Guard said on Saturday that Iran retained full control over the Strait of Hormuz and was maintaining security for vessels complying with Iranian regulations.

Its navy also alleged that two supertankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of crude had struck mines while using what Tehran described as an unauthorised southern route.

The supplied reports did not independently substantiate those incidents or Trump’s claims about the destruction of Iran’s aircraft and ships.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, separately warned that Tehran would prevent American military vessels from entering the Persian Gulf.

“We will under no circumstances and at no time allow US military vessels to enter the Persian Gulf,” he said, according to Press TV.

Abdollahi also challenged Trump’s statements about the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities, questioning why Washington continued to express concern about the programme if those facilities had been eliminated.

TRUMP LOOKS TO POSTWAR TRADE WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Asked about Russia’s war in Ukraine, Trump said he hoped an agreement would allow Washington to conduct business with both countries.

“We’d like to get back to life where Russia and Ukraine make a deal, and then we’d be able to do business with both,” he said.

“We’ll do business with Ukraine and with Russia after this war ends, I would think.”

Melania Trump said a ceasefire was expected to begin on October 27, welcomed the Pope’s support and referred to discussions with both presidents and signed agreements. She did not provide details of their scope or terms in the remarks quoted.

“I think she’s doing better than the professionals right now,” Trump said.

DOMESTIC ATTACKS AFTER VOTING

Trump also accused Democrats of corruption and alleged voting irregularities in Los Angeles, citing figures ranging from 20,000 to potentially hundreds of thousands or more illicit votes.

The supplied reports provided no supporting evidence or details of an official finding establishing those allegations.

The midterm elections will determine control of Congress, with all 435 House seats and approximately one-third of the Senate before voters.

With inputs from ANI