Senior officials in the administration of Donald Trump have warned that Iran poses a significant threat to the United States, just hours before fresh negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
U.S. and Iranian negotiators are currently meeting in Geneva for the third round of nuclear talks this year, amid heightened regional tensions and a major American military build-up in the Middle East.
In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of restarting its nuclear activities and developing missiles that could “soon” reach the United States. He also alleged that Tehran had been linked to roadside bombings that killed American service members and civilians.
The president cautioned that it would be a “very bad day” for Iran if a new agreement is not reached to resolve the long-running dispute over its nuclear ambitions. Iranian officials have previously warned that U.S. bases in the region would be targeted if the country comes under attack.
Speaking during a visit to St. Kitts and Nevis, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the president’s stance.
“After their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are,” Rubio said. “You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. They’re not enriching right now, but they’re trying to get to the point where they ultimately can.”
Trump ordered strikes on Iranian facilities last year, saying they had “obliterated” the country’s nuclear infrastructure. However, administration officials have recently indicated that Iran may still be close to acquiring the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
Rubio also warned that Iran maintains a significant stockpile of ballistic missiles capable of threatening U.S. interests and parts of Europe, and is working toward developing weapons that could reach the continental United States.
“Beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose… They already possess weapons that can reach much of Europe,” Rubio said.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance reinforced Washington’s hardline position, stressing that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon as talks continue in Geneva.
