Washington - US President Donald Trump said he wanted to solve the confrontation with Iran through diplomatic means but warned that he would never allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.
'We are in negotiations with them, they want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words: 'We will never have a nuclear weapon,' Trump said in his State of the Union speech.
'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.'
Trump briefly laid out his case for a possible attack on Iran in his State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday, saying he would not allow the world's biggest sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon.
Even while assembling a massive military force in the Middle East, Trump has done little to explain to the American public why he might be leading the U.S. into its most aggressive action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.
He accused Iran of restarting its nuclear program, working to build missiles that 'soon' would be capable of reaching the United States and of being responsible for roadside bombings that have killed U.S. service members and civilians.
Iranian state media have claimed that Tehran is developing a missile capable of reaching North America.
The run-up to Trump's address was overshadowed by the buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East and preparations for a possible conflict with Iran that could last for weeks if Tehran does not reach a deal to solve a longstanding dispute over its nuclear program.
Advisers had urged Trump to focus on the economy, immigration, and other domestic policy issues, and he devoted the lion's share of his nearly two-hour-long speech to such topics.
Trump and his fellow Republicans rose to the top of U.S. politics with the passionate support of a political base that embraces his 'America First' policies and vows to end an era of 'forever wars' like the long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, opinion polls indicate that the party will struggle to maintain control of Congress in November's midterm election. Polls also show Americans wary of foreign conflicts. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from January showed 69% of Americans agreed with a statement that the U.S. should only use its military when facing a direct and imminent threat, while 18% disagreed. The rest weren't sure or didn't answer the question.
Trump ordered strikes on Iran last year, claiming in July that they had 'obliterated' the country's nuclear facilities. His aides have claimed more recently that Iran is very close to having the ability to make nuclear bombs.
Trump addressed the issue in Tuesday's speech, saying, 'They (Iran's leaders) want to start all over again, and are, at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.'
Trump said he preferred to make peace, listing a range of worldwide conflicts he takes credit for ending or easing.
'As president, I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must,' Trump said.