America will not permit Iran to acquire atomic weapons, Donald Trump declared Wednesday, drawing an unambiguous red line that sets the stage for potential military confrontation.
The President's State of the Union warning came as he claimed victory for last year's Operation Midnight Hammer air strikes, which he said completely destroyed Iran's nuclear weapons facilities and halted the regime's ability to export terrorism.
Trump declared: "Had it not been for Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's regime would have spread terrorism. We obliterated their nuclear programme. They are working to make missiles that will reach USA," before delivering his ultimatum: "We can't let them have a nuclear weapon."
Congressional lawmakers heard Trump frame the Iranian nuclear threat as the nation's most critical security challenge, crediting the 2025 bombing campaign with preventing a regional catastrophe.
Trump delivered the address during America's 250th anniversary year, though proceedings descended into chaos when Democrat lawmaker Al Green was thrown out after displaying a sign reading "Black people are not apes", whilst Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar branded Trump a "murderer" after he told Democrats they "should be ashamed" for opposing his ICE-led mass deportation of illegal migrants.
Tensions with Iran have surged since December's explosion of anti-regime demonstrations saw government forces slaughter tens of thousands of predominantly young activists.
Trump condemned the killings and threatened the regime with annihilation if mass public executions of protesters proceeded — prompting the Islamic government to retreat from threats to hang arrested demonstrators en masse.
America has been amassing military assets across the region in recent weeks, with a naval flotilla now positioned within striking distance and approximately 40,000 personnel stationed at bases throughout the Gulf, particularly Qatar.
Last week the Wall Street Journal reported Trump is considering an "initial limited military strike" to compel Tehran into accepting his nuclear deal demands.
Such an attack would represent the opening salvo designed to pressure the regime into agreement without triggering major retaliation. Sources familiar with the deliberations suggested action could materialise within days, targeting military or government installations.
Senior aides have repeatedly presented this option to Trump, though the extent of his serious consideration remains unclear.
Should Iran continue resisting cooperation, the US would escalate to a comprehensive campaign against its facilities, potentially aimed at toppling the regime entirely.
Officials indicated military action would take the form of a "weeks-long campaign" potentially evolving into "full-fledged war", the Daily Mail reports. They warned it could prove "existential for the regime" and exert "dramatic influence on the entire region."
