Washington, D.C. — February 25, 2026
President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that Iran is actively working to develop missiles capable of striking the United States and accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild a nuclear program previously targeted by U.S. strikes. Speaking during his State of the Union address, Trump framed the threat as a combination of diplomatic challenge and potential military risk.
“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,” Trump said, stressing that while he prefers diplomacy, he will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Program and Missile Concerns
The comments come amid ongoing high-stakes negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile development. U.S. officials have repeatedly called for a halt to uranium enrichment and the dismantling of missile programs capable of targeting regional adversaries.
In 2025, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency projected that Iran could potentially develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by 2035, though it did not confirm whether Tehran had chosen to pursue that capability. Currently, Iran’s short- and medium-range missiles can reach approximately 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometers), far short of the continental United States, which lies more than 6,000 miles from Iran’s western border.
Trump, however, characterized the situation as urgent. “They want to start all over again,” he said, claiming Iran is “at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions.”
Military Posture and Diplomatic Channels
Trump has bolstered U.S. military presence in the Middle East, deploying two aircraft carriers, over a dozen ships, numerous warplanes, and additional forces. He repeatedly warned that failure in diplomacy could prompt a military response, while maintaining that his preferred path is negotiation. Talks with Tehran are scheduled to resume Thursday.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy,” Trump said. “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.”
Domestic Focus Amid Global Tensions
While the Iran issue dominated international headlines, Trump’s address largely focused on domestic policies. The president made only passing references to Russia and no mention of China, his administration’s primary strategic and economic competitor. He reiterated efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine and repeated claims of ending multiple other wars since taking office in January 2025.
Trump also highlighted NATO commitments, praising the alliance’s decision to allocate five percent of GDP to defense — a move he has long advocated.
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