Trump Says His 'Preference' is to Solve Iran Nuclear Issue Through Diplomacy

Speaking during the 2026 State of the Union address before Congress, The U.S. President Donald Trump stressed that negotiations with Iran are ongoing, but insisted that Tehran must explicitly renounce nuclear weapons development.

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.

The U.S. President Donald Trump

He also warned that Iran is working on missiles capable of reaching the United States, in addition to existing long-range systems threatening Europe and US overseas bases.

Geneva Talks Set to Resume

Delegations from Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold the third round of indirect nuclear negotiations on Thursday in Geneva, under the mediation of Oman.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran intends to engage in discussions “with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal in the shortest possible time,” signaling readiness for constructive talks despite ongoing tensions.

US Congressional Briefings and Regional Concerns

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a closed-door briefing for senior US lawmakers on Iran, as Trump considered possible military options.

The comments underscore a dual approach by Washington, combining ongoing diplomatic engagement with a strong military deterrent. Both sides are positioning strategically, with the outcome of the Geneva talks likely to shape the next phase of US–Iran relations.