Trump lays out case for possible attack on Iran in State of the Union speech

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump briefly laid out his case for a possible attack on Iran in

his State of the Union speech

to Congress on Feb 24, saying that he would not allow the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon.

Even while

assembling a massive military force in the Middle East,

Mr Trump has done little to explain to the American public why he might be leading the US into its most aggressive action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.

In his speech, Mr Trump pointed to Tehran’s support for militant groups, its killing of protesters, and the country’s missile and nuclear programmes as threats to the region and the US.

“The (Iranian) regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism and death and hate,” the Republican President said about 90 minutes into his annual address to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.

He accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, working to build missiles that “soon” would be capable of reaching the US and of being responsible for roadside bombings that have killed US service members and civilians.

Iranian state media have claimed that Tehran is developing a missile capable of reaching North America.

The run-up to Mr Trump’s address was overshadowed by the build-up of US military forces in the Middle East and preparations for a possible conflict with Iran that could last for weeks if Tehran does not reach a deal to solve a longstanding dispute over its nuclear programme.

Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with negotiators’ failure to reach an agreement. “They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words, ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon’,” he said in his speech.

Iran says its nuclear research is for civilian energy production.

Mr Trump also faulted the government in Tehran for the deaths of thousands of protesters during recent anti-government demonstrations, although the specific figure he cited – that 32,000 people had been killed – is much higher than most public estimates.

‘Forever wars’

Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a briefing on Iran hours before the speech for Congress’ “Gang of Eight” – composed of leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives and the two Chambers’ intelligence committees.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told a press conference shortly before the classified session: “First and foremost, if they want to do something in Iran – and who the hell knows what it is – they should make it public and discuss it with the public and not keep it in secret. When you do these military operations in secret, it always causes longer wars, tragedy, more expenses and mistake(s).”

Advisers had urged Mr Trump to focus on the economy, immigration and other domestic policy issues, and he devoted the lion’s share of his nearly two-hour-long speech to such topics.

Mr Trump and his fellow Republicans rose to the top of US politics with the passionate support of a political base that embraces his “America First” policies and vow to end an era of “forever wars” like the long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But opinion polls show the party will struggle to keep control of Congress in November’s midterm election. Polls also show that Americans were wary of foreign conflicts. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from January showed 69 per cent of Americans agreed with a statement that the US should use its military only when facing a direct and imminent threat, while 18 per cent disagreed, and the rest were not sure or did not answer the question.

Mr Trump ordered strikes on Iran in 2025, claiming in July that they had “obliterated” the country’s nuclear facilities. His aides have claimed more recently that Iran is very close to having the ability to make nuclear bombs.

Mr Trump addressed the issue in his Feb 24 speech, saying: “They (Iran’s leaders) want to start all over again, and are, at this moment, again pursuing their sinister ambitions.”

He said he preferred to make peace, listing a range of worldwide conflicts he takes credit for ending, or easing.

“As President, I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must,” he said. REUTERS