US President Donald Trump on Tuesday raised the alarm over Iran’s missile and nuclear ambitions, claiming Tehran is seeking to build missiles capable of reaching the United States and accused the country of trying to revive its nuclear program targeted by American strikes last year.
Speaking during his State of the Union address, Trump said, “They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America.”
The remarks come amid ongoing high-stakes negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s atomic program, ballistic missile development, and support for armed groups in the region. Trump reiterated that while he prefers diplomacy, he is ready to use military force if talks fail.
In 2025, the US Defense Intelligence Agency warned that Iran could potentially develop a militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 “should Tehran decide to pursue the capability,” though there is no public evidence the country has made that decision. Currently, Iran’s missile arsenal is limited to short- and medium-range ballistic missiles with maximum ranges of about 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometers), far short of the continental United States, which is more than 6,000 miles away from Iran’s western tip.
Trump also claimed that Iran seeks to “start all over again” with its nuclear program following US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last year, which he said destroyed Tehran’s atomic capabilities.
To reinforce US deterrence, Trump has deployed a massive military force to the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, more than a dozen ships, and a large number of warplanes.
“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.
The US president’s speech largely focused on domestic issues. He briefly referenced Russia, made no mention of China, and highlighted his efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, reiterating his claim that he ended eight other wars since returning to office in January 2025.
Trump also hailed NATO’s decision to commit five percent of GDP to defense, a move achieved under pressure from his administration.
