Trump Raises Pressure on Iran
US President Donald Trump stated that Iran is working to rebuild its nuclear program amid negotiations with Washington, fueling market speculation that a new military strike is being considered. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump accused Tehran of “resuming its ambitions” following last year’s US airstrikes, which included destroying Iran’s nuclear program, and asserted that the US had not yet heard a firm commitment from Iran not to acquire nuclear weapons.
The statement was echoed directly by Iranian officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that his country would “never” develop nuclear weapons, while emphasizing that diplomacy should be prioritized because a deal is still possible. A new round of US-Iran talks is underway Thursday in Geneva, with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to meet again with the Iranians.
While claiming to prefer diplomacy, Trump also emphasized that military options remain on the table if negotiations fail. However, the US administration’s public signals have been inconsistent regarding the goals of a new deal—whether it focuses solely on the nuclear issue or includes broader demands. In his speech, Trump also mentioned Iran's ballistic missile program, alleged terrorist activities, and support for proxy groups in the region as part of the rationale for pressuring Tehran.
Domestically, the US's increased deployment of military assets to the Middle East has prompted demands for clarification from lawmakers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed the senior congressional leadership group on Iran (the Gang of Eight). Several lawmakers emphasized the need for the administration to clarify its objectives, national interests, and strategy for protecting US interests in the region, amid the risk of escalation that could increase if diplomacy fails to produce an agreement. (asd)
Source: Newsmaker.id
