U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration's preference for diplomatic engagement with Iran during his first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday. Speaking to a joint session of Congress, Trump stated: "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.'"
The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with global markets closely monitoring developments that could impact energy security and regional stability. Analysts suggest this measured tone contrasts with earlier confrontational rhetoric, potentially signaling renewed efforts toward multilateral dialogue in 2026.
Asian markets showed cautious optimism following the address, particularly energy-dependent economies in Northeast and Southeast Asia. The Chinese mainland's Foreign Ministry declined immediate comment, while the Republic of Korea's presidential office welcomed "any steps toward peaceful conflict resolution."
