US President Donald Trump claims Iran is building missiles capable of striking the US, escalating tensions amid stalled nuclear talks.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed Iran is actively developing long-range missiles capable of striking the United States. He made the assertion during his State of the Union address.
“They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America,” Trump said.
This claim escalates longstanding tensions over Iran’s ballistic missile program. According to the US Congressional Research Service, Tehran’s current missiles have a maximum range of about 1,850 miles.
The continental United States is over 6,000 miles from Iran’s western border.
In 2025, the US Defense Intelligence Agency assessed Iran could potentially develop an intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035. The agency noted this would only occur if Tehran decided to pursue the capability.
Washington and Tehran are engaged in fraught negotiations to replace the nuclear deal Trump abandoned during his first term. The US has demanded Iran halt all uranium enrichment and curb its missile program.
Iran has repeatedly rejected these demands.
Trump has significantly bolstered US military presence in the Middle East amid the stalemate. This deployment includes two aircraft carrier strike groups and numerous additional warships and warplanes.
He has repeatedly threatened military strikes against Iran if the negotiations fail. The next round of talks is scheduled for Thursday.