Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while also acknowledging the possibility of military action, during his address to Congress on February 27, 2026. The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and address concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile program.
“I prefer to resolve this issue with diplomacy, but one thing is certain: I will never allow the number one state sponsor of terrorism to have the nuclear weapon,” Trump stated. He further warned that Tehran has developed missiles capable of reaching Europe and the United States, and could threaten American bases abroad. The president did not provide specific details regarding the capabilities of these missiles.
According to experts, Iran has built a substantial arsenal of missiles since the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, aided by support from China, Russia, and North Korea. Estimates suggest Iran possesses over 3,000 missiles, including short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) with a range of 300-1,000 km and medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) with a range of 1,000-3,000 km. These MRBMs are capable of reaching European targets or striking the U.S. Military presence in the Middle East. The development of ballistic missiles is an area where Iranian officials have repeatedly stated they will not concede.
“They have been warned against any future attempt to resume their weapons program, particularly nuclear weapons. They aim for to start all over again, and they are currently pursuing their sinister ambitions,” Trump insisted.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry swiftly dismissed Trump’s statements regarding its missile program. “Whatever they are claiming about Iran’s nuclear program, Iranian ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during the January unrest is simply a repetition of ‘big lies,’” said spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on X. He accused Washington and Israel of being “professional liars.”
Baghaei continued, referencing a historical propaganda tactic, “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth – a law of propaganda coined by the Nazi Joseph Goebbels. This law is now systematically used by the U.S. Administration and those who profit from war around it, particularly the genocidal Israeli regime, to fuel their sinister disinformation campaign against the Iranian Nation.” He urged that “no one should be deceived by these blatant falsehoods.”
The exchange underscores the deep distrust between Washington and Tehran, even as diplomatic channels remain open. Recent negotiations, mediated by Oman, have reportedly yielded some progress, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announcing a “breakthrough” earlier on February 27, 2026, stating that Iran has agreed to dismantle its stockpile of enriched uranium. This development could potentially remove a major obstacle in ongoing negotiations. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and potentially ease regional tensions.
However, the possibility of military confrontation remains a concern, as highlighted by Trump’s remarks. According to reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the U.S. Must abandon its current stance to reach an agreement.
