Trump says prefers diplomacy, will ‘never’ allow Iran to have nuclear weapons

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday he prefers a diplomatic resolution to tensions with Iran but warned he would “never” allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons, ahead of high-stakes negotiations set to resume in Geneva.

In his State of the Union speech, Trump said Washington is engaged in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear and missile programs, stressing that while diplomacy is his “preference,” he is prepared to use force if talks fail.

Since February, Washington and Tehran have completed two rounds of talks aimed at replacing the (JCPOA) nuclear agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term in 2018. Negotiations are set to resume Thursday in Geneva.

“They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon,’” Trump said, adding that he “will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump also claimed that Iran is developing missiles "that will soon reach the United States of America" and accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program following American strikes in June on three Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day Iran-Israel war.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday reaching an agreement with the US is "within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority."

In a post on X, he said, "Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon; neither will we Iranians ever forgo our right to harness the dividends of peaceful nuclear technology for our people."

He described the recent development of relations between the two hostile countries as “a historic opportunity” to reach an unprecedented agreement addressing mutual concerns and securing shared interests.

In May 2025, the US Defense Intelligence Agency said that Iran could potentially develop a militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 “should Tehran decide to pursue the capability,” though it did not say such a decision had been made.

The US has repeatedly demanded zero uranium enrichment by Iran and has sought to curb its ballistic missile program and support for armed groups across the region - conditions that Iran has rejected.

Washington has mobilized a large fleet of warships and fighter jets in the region.

Trump on Thursday set a 10- to 15-day deadline for Iran, saying it was “enough time” to reach a deal. On Friday, he confirmed reports that he was considering limited strikes.