US President Donald Trump asserted on Tuesday that Iran is actively pursuing the development of missiles capable of targeting the United States, a technology possessed by only a few countries worldwide.
During his State of the Union address, Trump stated, “They have already created missiles that pose a threat to Europe and our military bases abroad, and they are in the process of constructing missiles that could soon reach the United States of America.”
According to the US Defense Intelligence Agency in 2025, Iran could potentially possess an intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035 if it decides to pursue such capabilities, though no official decision has been confirmed.
Currently, Tehran possesses ballistic missiles with ranges reaching up to approximately 1,850 miles (3,000 kilometers), as reported by the US Congressional Research Service. The distance between Iran’s western border and the continental United States exceeds 6,000 miles.
The US and Iran have engaged in two rounds of negotiations to establish a new agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, following Trump’s withdrawal from the previous agreement. The US has insisted on Iran completely halting uranium enrichment, in addition to addressing Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional armed groups – demands that Iran has rejected.
Trump has dispatched a significant US military presence to the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, numerous ships, warplanes, and other assets. He has issued multiple warnings of potential military action against Iran if negotiations fail. Talks between the two nations are scheduled to continue on Thursday.
