U.S. President Donald Trump has made a cryptic remark after a meeting with senior military leaders, saying the moment could be "the calm before the storm," but declining to elaborate.
Trump spoke after discussions on October 5 with officials including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, national security adviser H.R. McMaster, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joe Dunford, on issues including North Korea and Iran.
During the White House meeting, Trump talked about the threat from North Korea and preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and pressed his defense officials to be faster at providing him with "military options" when needed.
At a photo opportunity with the officials following the meeting, Trump addressed the reporters present, saying, "You guys know what this represents? Maybe it's the calm before the storm."
Journalists asked what he meant and Trump said: "It could be, the calm, the calm before the storm."
When reporters asked whether he was referring to Iran, North Korea, or the extremist group Islamic State, Trump said, "You'll find out."
In a speech last month at the United Nations, Trump warned that the United States would "totally destroy" North Korea if needed to defend itself or U.S. allies.
He also repeatedly criticized the 2015 nuclear deal that global powers forged with Iran in 2015.
The president is facing an October 15 deadline to certify that Iran is in compliance with the accord. If he does not, U.S. sanctions lifted under the deal could be reinstated.