WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 — U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that he would never allow it to develop a nuclear weapon, emphasizing both military readiness and diplomatic engagement during his State of the Union address to Congress.
Amid heightened tensions and ahead of a new round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, Trump claimed that previous U.S. strikes had “obliterated Iran’s nuclear weapons program.” His remarks come as the United States continues its military buildup in West Asia.
Trump said Iran had developed missiles capable of threatening Europe and U.S. bases overseas and was working on missiles that could eventually reach the United States.
Referring to “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a series of U.S. airstrikes during last year’s conflict involving Israel and Iran, Trump said Iran had been warned against rebuilding its nuclear program but continued pursuing nuclear ambitions.
“After Midnight Hammer, they were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program — yet they continue, and are at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions,” Trump said.
He added that while Iran had expressed interest in reaching an agreement to avoid further military action, it had not made a firm commitment to abandoning nuclear weapons development.
“We haven’t heard those secret words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon.’ Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen,” Trump said.
He emphasized that diplomacy remains his preferred approach but reiterated his firm stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
“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 to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Iranian officials have repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, stating their nuclear program is intended solely for civilian purposes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post ahead of Trump’s speech that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons.
Araghchi also said discussions are ongoing and that a proposal addressing the concerns and interests of both countries would be discussed in Geneva in an effort to reach a swift agreement.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said recent negotiations had shown encouraging signs but warned that Iran remains prepared for any possible outcome.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Iran could be about a week away from producing industrial-grade material suitable for nuclear weapons, citing uranium enrichment levels of up to 60 percent.
Officials said the next round of U.S.-Iran talks will take place in Geneva on Feb. 26, following earlier diplomatic engagements in Muscat and Geneva.
Trump said his Iran policy reflects his broader “peace through strength” doctrine, which he described as the foundation of his foreign policy approach.
Framing it as a central strategy, Trump said the United States would deter adversaries by maintaining superior military capabilities while pursuing diplomatic solutions from a position of strength.
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