State of the Union 2026: Trump Warns Iran, Vows to Block Nuclear Weapons

US President Donald Trump used his 2026 State of the Union address to place Iran at the centre of US national security concerns, arguing that firm military action and sustained pressure are necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

Addressing a joint session of Congress, Trump highlighted Operation Midnight Hammer, the 2025 US air campaign targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, describing it as a turning point that weakened Iran's capabilities and curtailed what he called the regime's destabilising influence across the region. According to Trump, the strikes reduced the threat posed to US allies and limited Iran's ability to support militant groups.

Referring to the operation, Trump said the air campaign demonstrated the effectiveness of decisive force. "Without Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's leadership would have continued spreading terrorism," he said, claiming the mission had severely damaged Tehran's nuclear programme. He reiterated that Washington would not permit Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Beyond nuclear concerns, Trump warned that Iran was pursuing advanced missile systems capable of reaching far beyond the Middle East. He claimed Tehran already possessed missiles that threaten Europe and US military installations overseas, and alleged that work was underway on weapons that could eventually strike American territory.

However, US intelligence assessments present a more restrained picture. In 2025, the Defense Intelligence Agency said Iran could potentially develop an intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 if it chose to pursue such a capability, noting there was no confirmation of a final decision to do so. Separately, the Congressional Research Service has reported that Iran currently fields short- and medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges of up to roughly 3,000 kilometres - well short of the more than 6,000-mile distance separating Iran from the continental United States.

Trump's remarks came as US and Iranian officials concluded two rounds of discussions aimed at reviving a nuclear agreement to replace the deal his administration withdrew from during his first term. Washington has pushed for a framework that would require Iran to abandon uranium enrichment, limit missile development and curb support for armed groups - conditions Tehran has so far rejected.

At the same time, Trump has ordered a significant expansion of US military deployments in the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, additional naval vessels, combat aircraft and other assets. The president has repeatedly warned that military action remains an option if negotiations fail, with further talks expected to resume later this week, according to US officials.