In his State of the Union address on February 24, President Donald Trump spent around three minutes discussing the potential conflict with Iran, amidst a nearly two-hour speech focused primarily on domestic issues. This brief mention echoed the rhetoric used by former President George W. Bush regarding Iraq, indicating a continuity in the themes presented by previous administrations when addressing the Middle East crisis. Although the concern over Iran has been a long-standing issue, Trump's discussion was considerably overshadowed by domestic priorities.

Additionally, Trump reiterated claims of having ended eight wars during his presidency, a point he emphasized whilst discussing his broader contributions to global peace. He shared an anecdote about receiving a message from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who allegedly informed him that U.S. involvement had saved 35 million lives through negotiations between Pakistan and India. This assertion reflects Trump's ongoing strategy of framing his international engagements as successes, despite broader criticisms of his approach to foreign policy.

Such statements and the limited focus on Iran may have significant implications for the upcoming Geneva talks. While international discussions on Iran's actions are crucial, Trump's speech indicates a prioritization of domestic achievements over foreign relations, raising questions about the effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy in managing tensions with Iran. As the talks approach, the international community will be keen to understand how Trump’s rhetoric translates into actionable policy and whether it can indeed foster a more peaceful resolution in the region.