President Donald Trump warned Iran on Friday at a Florida rally that Washington could strike again—"another little Epic Fury"—if Tehran refuses to negotiate. The remark followed the 2019 joint U.S.–Iran war that began with the U.S. launch of "Epic Fury" against Iranian targets.
The warning echoes a 2026 U.S. intelligence memo that Iran has "substantially increased" efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East. The memo, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, says plots are now in "advanced stages" and cites attacks on U.S. personnel.
In response, the State Department has cut staffing at its embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to "restricted operations" status, a move justified by threats from Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The cuts leave the embassies open but with fewer personnel, though no staff have been ordered to evacuate as in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have warned the U.S. that retaliation could extend beyond conventional warfare. Deputy head of political affairs for the Revolutionary Guards, Yadollah Javani, said Tehran could strike seven major undersea cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if U.S. infrastructure is attacked.
With U.S. warships reportedly returning from the Middle East and a potential stop near Cuba, Trump suggested a show of force before sending Rubio to negotiate. The next steps involve a congressional hearing on the memo’s claims and a likely diplomatic push from the U.S. to clarify its position with Tehran.