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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Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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