President Trump used some of his most pointed language yet to describe Iran during his State of the Union Address, calling it the world’s number one sponsor of terrorism by a wide margin. The characterisation came as part of a broader warning that Iran’s nuclear and missile ambitions now pose a direct threat to American security.
Trump accused Iran of spreading terrorism, death and hatred across the region through its proxies, and claimed that thousands of American service members had been killed or injured as a result of Iranian-backed violence over the years. He also alleged that Iranian authorities had killed tens of thousands of their own citizens, shooting and hanging protesters in the streets.
Despite this harsh characterisation, Trump did not call for immediate military action. Instead, he acknowledged that negotiations are underway, with two rounds of talks having already taken place this month. He said Iran wants a deal, but has not yet made the categorical commitment to forgo nuclear weapons that Washington requires.
Trump recalled last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer, describing the US military strike as a decisive blow against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He said Tehran had been warned against rebuilding, but accused the regime of ignoring those warnings and pressing ahead with renewed nuclear activity.
The president’s message was clear: diplomacy is preferred, but not at any cost. Iran must renounce nuclear weapons completely and unequivocally. Until that happens, Trump warned, the full weight of American power remains on the table.