rki.news
Sources: Anadolu Agency
Washington: US President Donald Trump has reiterated his preference for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue, while warning that Tehran will never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
Addressing a joint session of Congress during his 2026 State of the Union speech on Tuesday, President Trump said negotiations with Iran were ongoing but stressed that the United States had not yet received clear assurances from Tehran renouncing nuclear ambitions. “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy,” he said, adding that Iran must explicitly commit to never pursuing nuclear weapons.
Trump also claimed that Iran is developing long-range missile capabilities that could eventually reach the United States, noting that existing systems already threaten Europe and American military bases overseas.
Diplomatic engagement continues through indirect negotiations mediated by Oman. Delegations from both countries are scheduled to hold a third round of talks in Geneva on Thursday, focusing on reviving agreements on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed senior lawmakers in a closed-door session on developments related to Iran, as Washington evaluates its strategic options.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran’s readiness to resume talks in Geneva, expressing determination to reach a “fair and equitable” deal at the earliest opportunity.
The exchanges signal renewed diplomatic activity amid ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.