Trump strikes belligerent tone on Iran throughout State of the Union, however says he would like a diplomatic answer.
United States President Donald Trump has advised Congress that he would like to resolve variations with Tehran by diplomacy, whereas laying out his case for potential assaults on Iran, which he claimed was looking for to develop missiles that might strike the US mainland.
In feedback made throughout his annual State of the Union handle to a joint session of the Senate and Home of Representatives on Tuesday, Trump struck a belligerent tone towards Iran, accusing it of working to rebuild its nuclear program that was hit by US strikes final yr.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned these websites have been obliterated, a declare specialists have disputed.
“We wiped it out they usually wish to begin another time. And so they’re at this second once more pursuing their sinister ambitions,” Trump mentioned, as he broached the topic of potential navy motion towards Iran about 90 minutes into his record-length speech.
“We’re in negotiations with them. They wish to make a deal, however we haven’t heard these secret phrases: ‘We are going to by no means have a nuclear weapon.’”
Trump mentioned his “desire” was “to resolve this drawback by diplomacy, however one factor is for certain: I’ll by no means enable the world’s primary sponsor of terror, which they’re by far, to have a nuclear weapon.
“Can’t let that occur,” he added.
Trump mentioned that after the US assaults on Iran’s nuclear websites in June 2025, “they have been warned to make no future makes an attempt to rebuild their weapons programme, specifically, nuclear weapons – but they proceed.”
Iran has insisted for years that its nuclear programme is for civilian functions solely. Neither US intelligence nor the UN’s nuclear watchdog discovered any proof final yr that Iran was pursuing atomic weapons.
In addition to accusing Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, Trump claimed Tehran was working to construct missiles that “quickly” can be able to reaching the US, echoing claims in Iranian state media that Tehran is growing a missile able to reaching North America.
He additionally claimed Iran was liable for roadside bombings which have killed US service members and civilians. He criticised Tehran over the deaths of 1000’s of protesters killed throughout latest antigovernment demonstrations.
“The (Iranian) regime and its murderous proxies have unfold nothing however terrorism and dying and hate,” Trump mentioned.
Araghchi: Deal ‘inside attain’
Trump’s newest feedback on the tensions come amid a big US navy buildup within the Center East, and earlier than a 3rd spherical of oblique talks scheduled for Thursday.
The talks, to be held in Geneva and mediated by Oman, can be attended by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, together with Iranian officers.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned in a publish on X {that a} cope with Washington to avert battle was “inside attain”, as Iran ready to renew talks in Geneva “with a dedication to realize a good and equitable deal – within the shortest attainable time”.
“Our elementary convictions are crystal clear,” he wrote. “Iran will not at all ever develop a nuclear weapon; neither will we Iranians ever forgo our proper to harness the dividends of peaceable nuclear expertise for our folks.”
Iran and the US had “a historic alternative to strike an unprecedented settlement”, he mentioned, “however provided that diplomacy is given precedence”.
