 "Trump claims Iran is developing missiles that could reach US as nuclear talks continue")
In a wide-ranging address, Donald Trump claimed that Iran is pursuing missile capabilities that could eventually reach the United States while alleging that Tehran is attempting to rebuild elements of its nuclear programme targeted by US strikes last year.
His comments came as Washington and Tehran hold intensive negotiations aimed at reaching a new agreement on Iran’s atomic activities and missile development.
Missile development accusations
“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 in his State of the Union address.
A 2025 assessment by the Defence Intelligence Agency said Iran could potentially develop a militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 “should Tehran decide to pursue the capability", although it did not state whether such a decision had been made.
According to the Congressional Research Service, Iran currently possesses short- and medium-range ballistic missiles with a maximum range of about 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometres). The continental United States lies more than 6,000 miles from Iran’s western edge.
Dispute over nuclear ambitions
Talks between Washington and Tehran have already included two rounds of negotiations aimed at replacing the nuclear agreement Trump withdrew from during his first term. The United States has pushed for zero uranium enrichment by Iran while also seeking limits on Tehran’s ballistic missile programme and support for regional armed groups — conditions Iran continues to reject.
Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last year, later claiming that Tehran’s atomic activities had been “obliterated”. On Tuesday, he said Iran now wants “to start all over again” and is “at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions.”
US military posture and threat of force
Trump has deployed significant US military assets to West Asia, including two aircraft carriers, more than a dozen ships and a large number of warplanes. He has repeatedly warned that he is prepared to use military force if diplomatic efforts fail, saying he prefers a negotiated solution but will not allow “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Talks with Tehran are scheduled to resume on Thursday.
Trump’s speech largely centred on domestic issues, making no reference to China — Washington’s primary strategic competitor — and mentioning Russia only briefly. He said he was working to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and repeated his inaccurate claim that he had ended eight other wars since returning to office in January 2025.
He also praised Nato for committing to spend five per cent of gross domestic product on defence, a move he said came under strong pressure from his administration.
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