President Trump issued a stark warning, announcing that Iran is rapidly developing long-range missiles capable of reaching United States territory, as reported by The Hill. The president delivered this critical update during his first State of the Union address of his second term, highlighting a significant and evolving threat.
He explained that Iran has already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our overseas military bases. Now, they’re actively working to build even more advanced missiles that will soon be able to reach the United States itself.
Adding to the concern, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessed in a report earlier this year that Iran could potentially possess as many as 60 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) by 2035. While the DIA’s one-page report noted that Iran currently has no deployed ICBMs, it also pointed out that the nation already has space launch vehicles. These could be repurposed to develop a militarily viable ICBM by 2035 if Tehran decides to pursue that capability.
The report also made it clear that the majority of these systems have nuclear-capable variants, which really ups the ante
In response to these escalating threats, the Pentagon has established a massive military presence near Iran. We’re talking dozens of warships, two aircraft carrier strike groups, and a host of fighter jets and refueling aircraft. Plus, they’ve positioned air defense systems across the region in the U.S. Central Command area. It’s a huge show of force, demonstrating just how seriously Washington is taking the situation.
Despite all this firepower, the Trump administration isn’t shutting the door on diplomacy. In fact, special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are slated to meet with Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday. These talks will be another round of nuclear negotiations, showing that there’s still a push for a peaceful resolution.
President Trump himself emphasized his preference for a diplomatic solution. “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy,” he stated on Tuesday night. However, he also drew a firm line in the sand, making it clear what he won’t tolerate. He added, “But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon.”
That’s a pretty strong commitment, and it underscores the critical balance the administration is trying to strike between negotiation and prevention. It’s a complex situation, and it seems like we’ll be watching these developments closely.
Published: Feb 25, 2026 11:00 am