President Trump said Iran is developing long-range missiles that could reach U.S. territory, while stressing a preference for diplomacy. The Pentagon has massed naval and air forces in the region as a deterrent. A DIA assessment warns Iran could field roughly 60 ICBMs by 2035, though none are currently deployed. U.S. envoys are set to meet Iranian officials in Geneva for further nuclear talks.
Trump Warns Iran Is Developing Long-Range Missiles That Could Reach U.S. Territory
Trump says Iran is developing missiles that can reach US
President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that Iran is developing long-range missiles that could eventually reach U.S. territory, saying Tehran already possesses systems capable of threatening Europe and U.S. bases overseas.
“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,” the president said during the first State of the Union address of his second term.
The remarks come as the Pentagon has bolstered its presence in the region, deploying dozens of warships, two aircraft carrier strike groups, fighter jets, aerial refueling aircraft and air defense systems in and around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Despite the show of force, the administration has not ruled out diplomacy. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Iranian officials in Geneva for another round of nuclear talks.
Intelligence Assessment
A Defense Intelligence Agency assessment released earlier this year concluded that Iran currently has no deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) but could field roughly 60 ICBMs by 2035 if Tehran chose to pursue that capability. The report noted that Iran's space launch vehicles could be adapted to develop a militarily viable ICBM over time and that many of the systems examined have nuclear-capable variants.
On the State of the Union stage, Mr. Trump said diplomacy remained his preference but added a firm pledge on nuclear proliferation: “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. 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.”
Analysts say the DIA projection is a planning estimate that depends on technological, political, and economic variables; the timeline and ultimate capabilities would hinge on Iranian decisions and international responses, including diplomacy and sanctions.
Note: This story reports official statements and an intelligence assessment. Projections about future missile inventories are subject to change as new information becomes available.
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