Former State Department veteran suggests unprecedented military declaration could headline historic presidential speech.
Former State Department official Aaron David Miller has suggested that President Donald Trump could use tonight’s State of the Union address to announce the beginning of military strikes against Iran.
Miller, now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s congressional briefing and the postponement of his planned Israel trip as possible signals of looming escalation.
“No President has ever announced the start of military conflict in a State of the Union. Why would they? That’s reason enough for Trump to do it,” Miller wrote, suggesting the move would align with Trump’s unconventional political style.
Trump is scheduled to deliver his address at 9 p.m. Eastern Time at the US Capitol. Speculation intensified after reports claimed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine had cautioned against military action. Trump forcefully rejected those reports in a statement on Truth Social.
The President dismissed claims that General Caine opposed action against Iran, calling the reports fabricated. He asserted that while military leaders prefer avoiding war, they remain confident that any confrontation would be decisively won if ordered.
Trump referenced Caine’s prior leadership in an operation targeting Iran’s nuclear program, claiming the mission had eliminated key elements of Tehran’s capabilities. He emphasized that the ultimate decision rests solely with him, reiterating that he prefers a negotiated deal but warning that failure to reach one would result in severe consequences for Iran.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain uncertain. A formal announcement of military strikes during a State of the Union address would mark an unprecedented moment in American political history and dramatically reshape the geopolitical landscape overnight.
