US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, February 24, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday briefly outlined his case for a possible attack on Iran during his State of the Union address, saying he would not allow what he called the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Even while assembling a massive military force in the Middle East, Trump has offered a limited public explanation for why the United States might undertake its most aggressive action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
In his speech, Trump cited Tehran’s support for militant groups, its handling of protesters, and its missile and nuclear programmes as threats to the region and the United States.
“The (Iranian) regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism and death and hate,” the Republican president said about 90 minutes into his annual address to a joint session of Congress.
Read: Iran prepares counterproposal as Trump weighs strikes
He accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, developing missiles that could “soon” reach the United States, and being responsible for roadside bombings that killed US service members and civilians.
Iranian state media have claimed Tehran is developing a missile capable of reaching North America.
The lead-up to Trump’s address was overshadowed by the US military buildup in the Middle East and preparations for a possible conflict with Iran that could last weeks if Tehran fails to reach a deal resolving the longstanding dispute over its nuclear programme.
Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration over stalled negotiations. “They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon,’” he said.
Iran maintains its nuclear research is for civilian energy purposes.
Trump also blamed Tehran for the deaths of thousands of protesters during recent anti-government demonstrations, although the figure he cited — 32,000 — is far higher than most public estimates.
‘Forever wars’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed Congress’ “Gang of Eight” on Iran hours before the speech.
“First and foremost, if they want to do something in Iran — and who the hell knows what it is — they should make it public and discuss it with the public and not keep it secret,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters ahead of the classified session. “When you do these military operations in secret, it always causes longer wars, tragedy, more expenses and mistake(s).”
Advisers had urged Trump to focus on the economy, immigration and other domestic priorities, and he devoted most of his nearly two-hour address to those issues.
Trump and fellow Republicans rose to prominence with support from a political base that backs his “America First” agenda and his pledge to end an era of “forever wars” such as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, opinion polls suggest the party may struggle to retain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
Read More: Iran warns any US attack will be treated as ‘all-out war’
Polls also show Americans remain wary of foreign conflicts. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in January found 69% of Americans agreed the US should only use its military when facing a direct and imminent threat, while 18% disagreed and the rest were unsure or did not respond.
Trump ordered strikes on Iran last year, saying in July they had “obliterated” the country’s nuclear facilities. His aides have since claimed Iran is very close to developing nuclear bombs.
Addressing the issue on Tuesday, Trump said: “They (Iran’s leaders) want to start all over again, and are, at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.”
Trump added he preferred peace, listing several global conflicts he says he helped end or ease.
“As president, I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must,” he said.
