Former President Donald Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Georgia on Saturday night, urging continued pressure on Iran and defending his decision to withdraw from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump said U.S. military operations had weakened the Islamic Republic and described the JCPOA as a “road to a nuclear weapon for Iran.” He claimed the U.S. had “obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury,” and that the regime had lost its aircraft, ships and leadership, stating, “They don’t have any airplanes, no ships, no anything, no leaders. Level one leader is gone, level two leader is gone.” The former president also suggested that further strikes could be authorized, while noting that a diplomatic agreement remained possible. “We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or they will agree,” Trump said. He cited Iran’s inflation rate of 301% as evidence of economic pressure, saying, “Their inflation as of this morning, I just read, was 301%.” Earlier that week, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said Washington could launch another attack against Iran over the weekend but also indicated that the administration was open to negotiations. Trump replied to reporters that he was not ready to disclose plans for a new strike, adding, “Would you really think I’d tell you that? I mean, can anybody from the Wall Street Journal ask a question so stupid?” The Hill reported on Saturday that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared several operational options for additional strikes against Iran that could be carried out after the November 3 midterm elections. A source familiar with the planning said, “CENTCOM has developed plans for renewed attacks that could be implemented if Trump authorizes them.” A Pentagon official told The Hill that the Defense Department’s role is to “develop and present military options to the President” and that it does not speculate on hypothetical situations or future operations. CENTCOM did not respond to a request for comment.
Article source: Arutz Sheva (Hadashot / Israel National News) | Image credit: Arutz Sheva (Hadashot / Israel National News)