U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest State of the Union address set out a second-term agenda built on economic protectionism, military strength and a hard line on Iran, signalling a strategy that pairs diplomatic engagement with firm red lines, Assoc. Prof. Orkhan Valiyev told AnewZ Daybreak.
Valiyev said Trump’s position on Iran was one of the clearest elements of the address. While the president expressed a preference for diplomacy, he reiterated that Washington would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.
“Trump wants to contribute to the establishment of peace globally,” Valiyev said.
With talks between U.S. and Iranian officials scheduled in Geneva, Valiyev cautioned that although diplomatic engagement is under way, the outcome remains uncertain.
He noted that both sides have sent mixed signals in recent weeks, while wider regional dynamics further complicate predictions. Regional actors also hold differing positions. Turkey, for example, has publicly opposed any intervention in Iran.
“Turkey's position is clear. Turkey doesn't want any kind of intervention with Iran”, he mentioned.
As Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stressed, Iran’s stability is closely linked to maintaining stability across the wider region.
Valiyev characterised the U.S. approach as open to negotiation but conditional, with Iran expected to halt nuclear development as a prerequisite for any broader regional agreement.
Beyond foreign policy, the address placed significant emphasis on economic reform. Trump reaffirmed his commitment to expanding tariffs, potentially raising them to 15 percent globally, despite legal resistance, including a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States challenging aspects of his trade measures.
Valiyev said the administration continues to frame tariffs as essential to correcting what it describes as a weakened economy inherited from the previous government. In his view, Trump is unlikely to retreat from this position, as economic restructuring remains a core pillar of his agenda.
“Trump repeatedly mentioned that his administration inherited the weak economy from the previous administration, therefore it seems that solving this issue seems to be one of the main priorities of the Trump administration,” Valiyev added.
On defence, the president reiterated a “peace through strength” doctrine, highlighting military readiness and urging greater burden-sharing within NATO.
Valiyev noted that Trump’s approach towards European allies remains more confrontational than that of previous administrations, particularly over defence spending commitments. He said the message of the speech was clear: the United States intends to maintain the world’s most capable military while pressing allies to assume a larger share of responsibility.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while d...
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to di...
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central A...
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international eff...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Yerevan remains committed to normalising relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, expressing confidenc...
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
International organisations, investors, environmental experts and business representatives gathered in Samarkand for the opening of Eco Expo Central Asia 2026, one of the region's largest environmental events focused on green growth, climate resilience and sustainable development.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Lebanese President and Israeli Prime Minister on efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon. According to a U.S. official, Washington has proposed a plan aimed at achieving a gradual de-escalation of hostilities.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice have renewed scrutiny of lawyer Robert Amsterdam after documents revealed communications between his law firm and Jeffrey Epstein's office. The disclosures have drawn attention because of Amsterdam's prominent role in Armenia.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
China is sending doctors, medical teams and emergency supplies to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, joining an international effort to contain the disease before it spreads further.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they struck a cargo ship owned by the “American-Zionist enemy” with a cruise missile after an Iranian freighter was attacked in the Sea of Oman.
Dutch police have launched an investigation into the use of force against a pregnant woman at an asylum seekers' centre in Zeist after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Monday that his government would begin legal proceedings to remove President Tamás Sulyok if he continues to reject calls to resign.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment