US President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iran during his State of the Union Address on Tuesday local time, making it clear that while diplomacy remains his preferred route, Washington will not permit Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy—but one thing is certain: I will NEVER allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are, by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, striking a forceful tone even as he left the door open for negotiations.
In his address, Trump accused Tehran of resuming efforts to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities. He said Iran is “again pursuing their sinister ambitions,” and warned that the threat now extends beyond the Middle East.
The remarks came at a time when Washington and Tehran have already held two rounds of negotiations this month aimed at reaching a nuclear deal, even as the US gradually builds up its military presence in the Gulf region near Iran.
‘Iran’s missiles could reach US’
According to the President, Iran has already developed missiles capable of threatening Europe and US bases overseas, and is working toward building missiles that could eventually reach the United States.
He reiterated that it has long been US policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. While he acknowledged ongoing talks, he signalled dissatisfaction with Tehran’s stance. Iran, he said, wants “to make a deal,” but Washington has not heard what he described as the “secret words” — a clear declaration that “We will never build a nuclear weapon.”
Diplomacy still on the table
For decades, Trump said, it has been US policy never to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, accusing the regime and its proxies of spreading “nothing but terrorism and death and hate.”
