‘Maybe Tomorrow’: Trump declines to rule out attack on Iran

• The US president refuses to disclose the administration’s military plans when questioned by The Wall Street Journal.
• Trump says a military strike remains possible but also points to the prospect of a negotiated agreement with Tehran.

US President Donald Trump has refused to rule out a military attack on Iran, saying an assault could take place as soon as the following day while also holding out the possibility of a diplomatic agreement.

Asked by a reporter from The Wall Street Journal how far the administration had progressed in considering a possible attack, Trump dismissed the question and declined to disclose his plans.

“Would you really think I'd tell you that?” Trump said, questioning whether the newspaper could ask “a question so stupid.”

“While we're thinking about doing it and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you?” he added.

Trump acknowledged that military action remained an option, saying, “If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will,” before pointing to the prospect of an agreement with Tehran.

“There's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement,” he said, adding that Iran wanted to reach a deal.

However, Trump questioned whether Tehran would abide by any potential agreement, saying: “But the problem is, will they hold the deal?”

The remarks come as reporting by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal points to growing preparations for a possible resumption of the US-Israeli war against Iran, despite Trump's public statements about diplomacy and his pledge not to launch attacks before the Nov. 3 US midterm elections.

A New York Times report published Oct. 22 said US and ‘Israeli’ militaries had developed plans for renewed strikes after the elections, potentially targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals. The report said military exercises had intensified and that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss possible operations. 

Read more: Trump advisors see opportunity in ‘Israeli’ government without Netanyahu: report