Agadir – US President Donald Trump declared in his 2026 State of the Union address that is considering a military strike on Iran, pledging that the United States would not allow the “sponsor of terrorism to develop nuclear weapons.”
Trump reiterated longstanding US accusations that Iran is a destabilizing force in the region. In the speech, he described the Iranian government as a source of “terrorism, death and hate,” and emphasized US concerns about Tehran’s missile and nuclear capabilities.
Trump further claimed that Iran was attempting to revive its nuclear weapons ambitions and was developing long‐range missiles capable of reaching Europe and possibly the US.
“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,” he said.
“They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue, starting it all over.”
Trump claimed that previous US actions had “wiped out” much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but warned that Tehran is attempting to rebuild its capabilities and pursue what he called “sinister ambitions.”
Negotiations are ongoing and Iranian officials are reportedly seeking a deal, he stated, adding that the United States has not received any commitment that Iran will permanently stop developing nuclear weapons. The president emphasized that his preference remains diplomacy to solve this matter.
Tehran promptly responded to Trump’s speech, with Iranian officials accusing the United States of spreading “big lies” about its programs and intentions.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, expressed the country’s commitment to meaningful negotiations, but he also warned that Tehran will not surrender to any intimidation.
“If you choose the table of diplomacy – a diplomacy in which the dignity of the Iranian nation and mutual interests are respected – we will also be at that table,” he said.
“But if you decide to repeat past experiences through deception, lies, flawed analysis and false information, and launch an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation and the country’s defensive forces.”
