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.
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Israel’s assassination of Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, is unlikely to pose a significant challenge to Tehran, Iranian foreign policy analyst Mohammad Khatibi told AnewZ’s Context on Tuesday (17 March).
China has announced it will provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, as a widening conflict in the Middle East drives increasing civilian suffering and displacement across the region.
Azerbaijan has dispatched a fresh shipment of humanitarian aid to neighbouring Iran, in what officials describe as a continued effort to support a “friendly nation” during a period of need.
A Kyrgyz investigation has linked more than $45m in losses at state oil firm Kyrgyzneftegaz between 2021 and 2025 to intermediary schemes allegedly tied to the circle of former security chief Kamchybek Tashiev.
Morocco has been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and Senegal stripped of their title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
President Donald Trump said NATO is making a “very foolish mistake” by refusing to help the U.S. as Israel Katz claimed Ali Larijani was killed in Israeli strikes.
Kouri Richins, a U.S. woman who penned a children’s book about bereavement after the death of her husband has been found guilty of killing him.
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Friday (13 March), according to Poland’s Operational Command.
A top security official in Donald Trump’s administration has resigned, saying Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States, as tensions escalate with Tehran vowing a “decisive” response to the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in overnight Israeli strikes.
Six people died on Wednesday, following fresh Israeli offensive against suspected Hezbollah infrastructure in Central Beirut on Wednesday.
Employees of Voice of America (VOA) who had spent nearly a year on paid administrative leave may soon return to work after U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that efforts to scale down the broadcaster were unlawful.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 18th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia and Iran are “brothers in hatred” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UK Parliament following a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday (17 March).
Morocco has been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and Senegal stripped of their title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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