Trump says US may strike Iran 'maybe tomorrow' or reach a deal
US President Donald Trump told reporters he was considering new strikes on Iran as soon as Sunday, while saying Tehran still wants a deal. Iran has warned that any new attack would spread war across the region.
At a glance
- US President Donald Trump said on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that the United States was thinking about new strikes on Iran, 'and maybe tomorrow' — meaning Sunday, October 25.
- He said Iran wanted to make a deal but asked whether it would hold one, and said his aim was to make any outcome 'permanent' so Iran never builds a nuclear weapon.
- Asked whether he would announce a decision in advance, Trump replied: 'Do you really think I'm going to tell you?'
- At a rally on Friday he said the US 'may do another little epic fury', a reference to the codename of the US-Israeli war on Iran earlier this year.
- Iran's armed forces chief Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi has warned that any new war would engulf the whole region.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that the United States was considering new military strikes on Iran "maybe tomorrow", while leaving open the option of a deal with Tehran. Speaking to reporters, he said Iran wanted an agreement but questioned whether it would keep one, and refused to say whether he would announce any attack in advance.
The remarks pushed fears of a return to full-scale war to their highest point since the ceasefire that paused the US-Israeli war on Iran earlier this year. By midday Sunday in Pakistan, no new US strike had been announced.
What Trump said
Asked how close he was to ordering an attack, Trump said: "We're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow." When a reporter asked whether he would make a decision public beforehand, he replied: "Do you really think I'm going to tell you if I'm going to do it?"
On diplomacy, Trump said Iran wanted to make a deal, "but the problem is, will they hold the deal?" He said his goal was to stop Iran from ever building a nuclear weapon, adding: "I've got to make it permanent. That's the only reason I'm doing it."
At a campaign rally on Friday, Trump had said the US "may do another little epic fury" — a reference to Operation Epic Fury, the codename for the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began in February.
| Option | What Trump said |
|---|---|
| Military action | "We're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow." |
| Secrecy | Would not say if he would announce a decision in advance |
| Deal | Iran "wanted to make a deal", but would it hold it? |
| Goal | Make the outcome "permanent" so Iran never gets a nuclear weapon |
Background
The war between the United States, Israel and Iran began in February and spread across the Middle East before a ceasefire and a commitment to negotiate a final peace deal. Those talks have stalled. In recent weeks tankers have been hit by mines near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has barred US ships from the Gulf, and Yemen's Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia. Brent crude has climbed above $115 a barrel.
Earlier this week Trump threatened to target the Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz, which is believed to be a deeply buried part of Iran's nuclear programme. US intelligence officials have also warned that Iranian preparations to target American personnel in the region have advanced, according to reports.
Iran's response
Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, said this week that any new war against Iran would escalate and engulf the entire region. Iranian officials have warned that renewed strikes would bring attacks not only on American bases and ships but on airports, pipelines and other economic targets across Gulf states. Mohsen Rezaei, a senior security official, has said Iran has prepared a new operational plan for any resumed fighting.
Reactions
Foreign ministers from Europe and the Middle East, including Pakistan's Ishaq Dar, have urged Washington and Tehran to choose diplomacy over new attacks. In Washington, the threats have raised questions in Congress about whether the president needs its approval for renewed strikes.
Why it matters
A new round of strikes could close or further disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes, sending fuel prices higher worldwide. For Pakistan, which imports most of its oil, borders Iran and has millions of workers in the Gulf, any escalation means higher petrol and electricity prices, pressure on the rupee and risks to remittances. Pakistan has also played a mediating role, with its army chief visiting Tehran this month.
What happens next
Markets, Gulf governments and airlines will be watching closely on Sunday and Monday for any sign of US military action, or of a breakthrough in talks. The US midterm elections on November 3 are also a factor: reports have suggested US and Israeli planners were looking at strikes after the vote.
Questions people are asking
Is the US going to attack Iran on Sunday?
Trump said on October 24, 2026, that the US was thinking about striking Iran 'maybe tomorrow' but did not announce a decision, and said Iran could still avoid military action by agreeing a deal. No new US strike had been announced by Sunday midday Pakistan time.
What did Trump say about a deal with Iran?
Trump said Iran wanted to make a deal but questioned whether it would keep it, and said he wanted any outcome to be permanent so Iran can never build a nuclear weapon.
How has Iran responded to the threat of new US strikes?
Iranian military leaders have warned that any new attack would spread war across the entire region, and Tehran has threatened to hit US bases, ships and economic targets in Gulf states if attacked again.
