Trump threatens Iran in State of the Union
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the House of Representatives at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his speech just days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf that threatens Iran.
Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The United States and Iran are set to resume nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, amid persistent fears of the possibility of military action in the oil-rich Middle East.
The upcoming round of talks on the future of Tehran’s nuclear program comes as the United States continues to build military power in the region and President Donald Trump warns of “bad things” if Iran does not accept the nuclear deal.
On Tuesday, the US president spoke briefly about Iran in his nearly two-hour State of the Union address but focused mainly on domestic policy and other political issues.
“We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we have not heard the secret words: ‘We will never have nuclear weapons,'” Trump said.
“My preference is for this problem to be resolved through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the country, which has been the world’s number one sponsor of terrorism, to have nuclear weapons.”
For some, the comments raised expectations of a diplomatic breakthrough soon.
“Trump basically wants the optics of victory, so he talks about why he ended eight wars. I think it’s pretty obvious that he didn’t do that. He helped manage the conflicts… but he didn’t end those conflicts,” said George Pollack, U.S. policy analyst at Signum Global Advisors.
“I think for him it’s more about how he exercises U.S. power and tries to make the world more peaceful, but that’s more of an optics thing than a substantive policy,” Pollack told CNBC’s “European Early Edition” on Wednesday. he said.
“That’s why for us the meeting this Thursday is likely to be successful and bring more diplomatic opportunities,” he added.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford docked at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete on February 24, 2026.
Anatolia | Anatolia | Getty Images
But for others, no deal means the likelihood of military action is both high and increasing.
“President Trump’s 10 to 15-day time limit on Iran expires in early March,” strategists from Dutch bank ING said. Notes Released Wednesday.
“This uncertainty means the market will continue to price a large risk premium and remain sensitive to any new developments,” they added.
Iranian Foreign Minister: Agreement ‘achievable’
Iran, for its part, talked about the possibility of a deal this week and said a deal was “achievable.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in question It said on social media on Tuesday that the country would continue talks with the United States in Geneva this week, “determined to reach a fair and equitable agreement as soon as possible.”
Araghchi added: “Our fundamental beliefs are clear: Iran will not develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances, and we Iranians will never give up our right to enjoy the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology for our people.”
Vehicles move along a highway near the Azadi (Freedom) Tower, a symbol of Tehran, on February 23, 2026 in Tehran. The 45-meter-high marble-clad Azadi Tower, formerly known as the Shahyad Tower (Shah’s Memorial Tower), was built by the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to celebrate 2,500 years of the Persian Empire and was completed in 2020. 1971. Erected at the westernmost entrance of Tehran city.
Atta Kenare | Afp | Getty Images
Oil prices traded near seven-month highs on Wednesday morning as energy market participants continued to closely monitor potential supply disruptions.
International comparison Brent crude oil Futures contracts for April delivery rose 0.6% to $71.13 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate Futures It traded at $66.02 for April delivery, up 0.6%.
OPEC member Iran is a major player in the global oil market, producing more than 3 million barrels of crude oil per day.
The Islamic Republic has recently conducted military exercises in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as well as joint naval exercises with Russia in the Gulf of Oman, also known as the Arabian Sea.
