US-Iran Tensions: Oil Prices, Geopolitics, Tariffs To Nuclear Weapons, 10 Points To Know Before US-Iran's Meet

The US President Donald Trump says the United States is now in its 'Golden Age' in his first union address to his state. He added that the US is back as bigger, stronger and better than ever. While addressing the state before the joint session of the 119th Congress, Trump once again bragged about his work in maintaining world peace.

One of the key highlights was his promise to Iran to never allow them to have a nuclear program, a statement that comes ahead of their third round of meetings on February 27.

Here are ten key points to know that are shifting global sentiments on February 25.

1. Trump As Global Peacemaker?

During his union address, Trump claimed that he ended eight wars including India and Pakistan where a potential nuclear threat emerged. He said Pakistan' Prime Minister Shehaz Sharif would have died if he had not intervened. Trump said that Sharif himself thanked him for his intervention during the ongoing Operation Sindoor where tensions between India and Pakistan was high and that Pakistan PM said about 35 millions lives were saved. Trump reinstated his works to portray himself as global peacemaker.

Apart from this, he claimed for getting a ceasefire in Gaza during Israel's war against terrorist group Hamas. He also included the freedom of Venezuela from their dictator-like president Nicolas Maduro.

2. Tariffs Disappointments:

Furthermore, Trump gave curt remarks on the latest US supreme court's ruling which demanded the abolishment of intense tariffs on countries including the so-called 155% tariffs on Chinese goods. On February 26, Trump said, the court's ruling was very "very unfortunate" and "disappointing".

Following the court ruling, in the weekend, Trump imposed a 10% global tariffs which was threatened to rise to 15%. On Wednesday, Trump said that his administration is likely to use alternative legal mechanisms to continue on levying similar tariffs. He warned of far worse than new tariffs that would ease financial burden in the USA.

He said on Wednesday, "As time goes by, I believe that tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love."

Countries like China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and European Union are expected to be biggest beneficiaries of the new US court ruling.

3. Trump On Venezuelan Oil

After the capturing of Nicolas Maduro and declaring full claim of US on the largest oil reserves country, Trump said, the US received over 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. He said, "American oil production is up by more than 600,000 barrels a day."

4. No Nukes To Iran?

Coming to Iran, Trump called the Islamic Regime as biggest terror sponsor in the world. Ahead of the two countries big meeting, Trump said the talks were still ongoing because the US hasn't heard those magical and secret words. Trump wants Iran to say, "We will never have a nuclear weapon."

The US President has vowed to not allow Iran to have a nuclear programme of their own. He added, "My preference is to solve this through diplomacy, but one thing is certain - I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror to have nuclear weapons."

5. US-Iran Meeting:

Iran and US are expected to meet in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday. A senior U.S. official told Axios on Sunday morning the Trump administration expects to receive the proposal by Tuesday. Further, the US official revealed Axios that the current diplomatic push is likely the last chance President Trump will give Iran before launching a massive U.S.-Israeli military operation that could directly target Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

6. US-Iran Deal Within Reach?

At one side Trump has threatened a war against the Islamic Regime, on the other side, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said the deal between the two countries is within reach. He said, We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests."

7. Iran Seeks Nuclear Technology

Despite many threats of US, Iran continues to pursue nuclear presence on their soil. The regime's foreign minister emphasized that under no circumstances, Iran will ever develop a nuclear weapon. But, the minister said, "Iran retains its right to harness dividends of peaceful nuclear technology.

8. US Military Presence Increases In Middle East

The start of 2026 has witnessed a new modern geopolitical tension right from capturing Venezuela to wanting Greenland, Trump's bucket list included talks with Iran too. And since late January 2026, US military presence have been increasing rapidly.

On 26 January 2026, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group deployed to the region, accompanied by additional air, naval, and missile defense forces. U.S. officials characterized the buildup as intended to deter regional instability connected to both the 2025-2026 Iranian protests and the 2026 killings of demonstrators and to signal readiness for contingency operations. Iranian officials described the buildup as provocative, while neighboring governments warned it could escalate into wider conflict, as per Wikipedia.

9. Fresh Protests Breakout In Iran:

Apart from tensions outside, Iran also faces risks within its own borders. Iran has faced relentless and extreme nationwide protests since last month, where citizens demand the dethroning of Islamic regime and the supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Just ahead of the US and Iran meeting, a small group Iranian students extended their protests for a third day on Monday. These students chanted slogans such as "Death to the dictator" or "Death to the Islamic Republic."

10. Oil Prices In Focus

As geopolitical and tariff risks continue, crude oil prices are back in focus. Brent crude and US WTI futures surged nearly 1% each to trade around $72 and $66 per barrel. In one month, crude oil prices spiked by 8% to 10%.