WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran during his State of the Union address, accusing Tehran of advancing its missile program and reiterating that the United States will not allow it to obtain nuclear weapons.
Speaking before Congress, President Trump claimed that Iran is developing ballistic missiles that could soon be capable of reaching the United States.
He said Iranian missile capabilities already pose a serious threat to European countries and American military bases across the Middle East.
“We want to hear clearly that Iran will not build nuclear weapons,” Trump told lawmakers, emphasizing that preventing Tehran from acquiring atomic arms remains a central objective of U.S. national security policy.
The president stated that after certain Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed in past operations, Tehran had been explicitly warned not to attempt rebuilding its nuclear weapons capability.
He stressed that any renewed effort would bring firm consequences.
Trump also described Iran as the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, accusing the Iranian regime and its regional proxies of spreading violence and instability globally.
He reaffirmed his administration’s hardline stance, declaring that Iran will not be permitted to develop nuclear arms.
At the same time, Trump said diplomacy remains the preferred solution. He noted that efforts toward reaching a deal with Tehran are ongoing, signaling that negotiations are still possible if Iran meets U.S. conditions.
During his address, the president referenced the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, saying the commander had been responsible for the deaths of thousands of American troops.
Trump defended the action as a decisive move to protect U.S. interests and deter further aggression.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have persisted since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The deal had aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, but its collapse has led to renewed disputes over uranium enrichment and missile development.
Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, while U.S. officials continue to express concern over enrichment levels and ballistic missile advancements.
President Trump’s remarks at the State of the Union underscore the administration’s firm stance on Iran, blending strong rhetoric with an openness to diplomatic engagement, as global attention remains focused on the evolving U.S.-Iran relationship.