Trump strikes belligerent tone on Iran throughout State of the Union, however says he would like a diplomatic resolution.
United States President Donald Trump has informed Congress that he would like to resolve variations with Tehran by means of 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 tackle 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 12 months.
Trump has repeatedly stated these websites had been obliterated, a declare consultants have disputed.
“We wiped it out and so they wish to begin once more. And so they’re at this second once more pursuing their sinister ambitions,” Trump stated, 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’ll by no means have a nuclear weapon.’”
Trump stated his “choice” was “to resolve this downside by means of diplomacy, however one factor is definite: I’ll by no means permit 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 stated that after the US attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites in June 2025, “they had 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 12 months 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” could 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 accountable 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 stated.
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 third round of oblique talks scheduled for Thursday.
The talks, to be held in Geneva and mediated by Oman, will likely be attended by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, together with Iranian officers.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a put up on X {that a} take care of 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 doable time”.
“Our elementary convictions are crystal clear,” he wrote. “Iran will on no account ever develop a nuclear weapon; neither will we Iranians ever forgo our proper to harness the dividends of peaceable nuclear expertise for our individuals.”
Iran and the US had “a historic alternative to strike an unprecedented settlement”, he stated, “however provided that diplomacy is given precedence”.
