In a dramatic moment during his State of the Union Address, President Trump warned that Iran is developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, elevating what has long been a regional concern into a direct national security threat. He said Iranian weapons already put Europe and American overseas bases at risk, and that the next step is targeting the continental US.
The warning came as the US and Iran were engaged in active nuclear negotiations, with two rounds of talks completed this month. Trump acknowledged Iran’s interest in reaching a deal but said the country has yet to meet the core American demand: a clear, public rejection of nuclear weapons development.
Trump recalled Operation Midnight Hammer, the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities carried out last June, saying they had effectively dismantled Iran’s weapons program. However, he expressed alarm that Iran has since begun rebuilding, calling the move a direct defiance of American warnings delivered after the strikes.
Beyond missiles, Trump addressed Iran’s broader behavior on the world stage, calling it the number one state sponsor of terrorism. He accused Iranian-backed groups of killing thousands of American service members and said the regime had slaughtered an estimated 32,000 of its own citizens during domestic protests.
While the speech was filled with sharp warnings and military references, Trump closed the Iran section with a diplomatic note, reiterating that his preference remains a negotiated solution. The condition, however, is non-negotiable: Iran must declare it will never pursue a nuclear weapon, and without that commitment, Trump made clear the US will not relent.