{"id":41480,"date":"2026-02-25T06:04:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T06:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/?p=41480"},"modified":"2026-02-25T06:04:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T06:04:07","slug":"trump-lashes-out-at-irans-sinister-nuclear-ambitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/?p=41480","title":{"rendered":"Trump lashes out at Iran\u2019s \u2018sinister\u2019 nuclear ambitions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> \n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p>Good morning and welcome back. In today\u2019s newsletter:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"o3-editorial-typography-list-unordered\">\n<li>\n<p>Donald Trump hits out at Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions in State of the Union speech<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Friedrich Merz steps up scrutiny of Germany\u2019s arms procurement<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Rachida Dati vows to end French Socialists\u2019 grip on Paris<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>How Deutsche Bank rolled out the red carpet for Jeffrey Epstein<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr\/>\n<p>We begin with Donald Trump, who has lashed out at Iran\u2019s \u201csinister\u201d nuclear ambitions in his State of the Union address as he presented Washington\u2019s justification for possible military action. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What to know: <\/strong>The US president accused Tehran of seeking to rebuild its nuclear weapons programme amid a massive build-up of US naval and air power in the Middle East as he spoke before a joint session of Congress last night.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said the US was still negotiating with Iran but Tehran was not relinquishing its nuclear ambitions and it continued to threaten America. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they\u2019re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America,\u201d Trump said. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it matters:<\/strong> Trump\u2019s comments on Iran come just before critical talks in Geneva tomorrow between US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and senior Iranian officials, which could determine whether the White House launches a new attack on the Islamic Republic. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/9194e1f5-d191-414a-ab9f-e271a32b8b78\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">Read more on last night\u2019s speech<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"o3-editorial-typography-list-unordered\">\n<li>\n<p><strong>Trump trade stalls:<\/strong> Global investors are going out of their way to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/cfdc8ea7-57ed-4843-82b6-7cc427b3e32f\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">avoid US markets<\/a>, writes Katie Martin.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here\u2019s what else we\u2019re keeping tabs on today:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"o3-editorial-typography-list-unordered\">\n<li>\n<p><strong>Economic data: <\/strong>The EU releases January inflation data, while Germany publishes revised fourth-quarter GDP figures.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Results:<\/strong> Alcon, Aston Martin Lagonda, Diageo, Eon, Ferrovial, Heathrow, Iberdrola, Manchester United, Nvidia and Salesforce report earnings.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Live event: <\/strong>The FT Business of Football Summit begins online and at the Peninsula Hotel in London, continuing tomorrow. <a href=\"https:\/\/businessoffootball.live.ft.com\/\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">Register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"zqqsivxc\" class=\"n-content-heading-3 o3-editorial-typography-subheading\"><span id=\"five-more-top-stories\">Five more top stories<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>1. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stepped up<\/strong> scrutiny of military procurement amid mounting concerns that large manufacturers such as Rheinmetall will benefit disproportionately from the country\u2019s \u20ac500bn defence budget over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/420c906f-33fe-4c98-acd2-1152f21c1443\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">start-ups focused on new technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Rachida Dati has vowed to \u201csmash the glass ceiling\u201d<\/strong> by winning next month\u2019s Paris mayoral election, a result that would end 25 years of Socialist control of the French capital. The rightwing politician with immigrant roots is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/5d4d08ae-75b4-4697-82d1-1d4c57ddcb75\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">polling strongly ahead of local elections in March<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>3. HSBC has said it will not make further share buybacks<\/strong> until its capital ratios have improved following its $14bn privatisation of Hang Seng Bank, potentially extending its previous warning of a three-quarter suspension.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/828398ac-0289-4550-acd4-e9bbbbeb9efc\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">Read the full report<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Exclusive: Ineos is exploring asset sales<\/strong> and has held talks with creditors over refinancing some of its debt pile, as the chemicals empire built by UK billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe battles an industry downturn. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/d1e7b279-2558-41cc-b69b-9ffff9ed1747\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">Read the full report<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. UK self-driving start-up Wayve has raised $1.2bn<\/strong> in new funding from investors including automakers Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Nissan, as it gears up to launch its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/181aee87-4815-4a0e-805f-c1d04f0c2f36\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">first robotaxi service<\/a> in London this year. <\/p>\n<h3 id=\"lyyvipjk\" class=\"n-content-heading-3 o3-editorial-typography-subheading\"><span id=\"news-in-depth\">News in-depth<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"ylcuwdcs\" class=\"n-content-image n-content-image--full\" data-component=\"image-set\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 700px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3A2e441543-d621-4cd6-b995-dfebd45d8c39?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=1 1x\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"n-content-picture__caption o3-editorial-typography-caption\"><span\/><span>\u00a9 FT montage\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Tens of thousands of internal emails and documents released by the US Department of Justice paint for the first time a vivid picture of how Deutsche Bank rolled out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/b1d9e8c4-1874-4c82-941d-9a2e1512bc4c\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">the red carpet for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"xhuougjj\" class=\"n-content-heading-3 o3-editorial-typography-subheading\"><span id=\"were-also-reading\">We\u2019re also reading\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"o3-editorial-typography-list-unordered\">\n<li>\n<p><strong>Novo Nordisk Foundation:<\/strong> The world\u2019s richest philanthropic organisation is boosting spending beyond Denmark to bolster Europe\u2019s capabilities in fields including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/8896a881-5246-4bfd-a989-8e6612026bcf\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">quantum computing and life sciences<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Tariff hit:<\/strong> The US has reimposed levies on Belgian diamonds after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/fca1de46-8f91-4d4b-94aa-1fe69c2cb6f9\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">abandoning some of the exemptions<\/a> it had granted under previous trade deals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Defence doubts: <\/strong>Germany\u2019s decision to develop a fighter jet with France was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/c242fa78-1170-4b3f-befa-78bd3f9d0038\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">a \u201cstrategic mistake\u201d<\/a>, a former Airbus chief executive has said.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>India\u2019s geopolitical bets:<\/strong> Stung by Trump\u2019s volatile foreign policies, New Delhi is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/e80380b2-980d-4f85-ac8d-1f527cdbdcb0\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">deepening ties<\/a> with the EU and \u201cmiddle powers\u201d such as Canada. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"vdtqekuu\" class=\"n-content-heading-3 o3-editorial-typography-subheading\"><span id=\"chart-of-the-day\">Chart of the day<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Women pay a heavier price for having children. In countries with ultra-low fertility rates, efforts must be made to lower costs for parents and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/7391479c-a60e-42d1-b293-8ce848cf4f56\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">reduce the economic penalties on mothers<\/a>, writes Martin Wolf. <\/p>\n<div id=\"rlicalpi\" class=\"n-content-layout\" data-component=\"flourish\" data-component-id=\"27777457\" data-component-type=\"flourish-in-article\">\n<figure class=\"n-content-picture n-content-layout__container\"><a href=\"#27777457\"><picture data-asset-type=\"flourish\" data-flourish-id=\"27777457\" data-flourish-type=\"visualisation\">\n<div id=\"27777457\" class=\"cp-message o-message o-message--inform o-message--notice\" data-o-component=\"o-message\">\n<div class=\"o-message__container\">\n<div class=\"o-message__content\">\n<p class=\"o-message__content-main\">Some content could not load. Check your internet connection or browser settings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.flourish.studio%2Fvisualisation%2F27777457%2Fthumbnail%3FcacheBuster%3D984443?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=1020&amp;dpr=1\" alt=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Rising costs and economic uncertainty have intensified financial anxiety \u2014 particularly for women, who make up nearly two-thirds of UK debt advice clients. Join Claer Barrett, consumer editor, for a <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/financialwellbeing.live.ft.com\/\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\"><em>free webinar<\/em><\/a><em> on March 5 in association with the FT\u2019s FLIC charity.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"iivvcdpx\" class=\"n-content-heading-3 o3-editorial-typography-subheading\"><span id=\"take-a-break-from-the-news\">Take a break from the news\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Our faces were once seen as immutable windows to the soul \u2014 but in the age of Botox and Instagram, they are something that can be altered and made fashionable. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/9829e0fc-e225-4563-b3de-e1dedb8af560\" title=\"\" data-trackable=\"link\">Is your face on trend<\/a>?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"lwywsebn\" class=\"n-content-image n-content-image--full\" data-component=\"image-set\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 700px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ac56070a7-c8d4-4489-b973-d8b2f780bef1?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=1 1x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ac56070a7-c8d4-4489-b973-d8b2f780bef1?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=2 2x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ac56070a7-c8d4-4489-b973-d8b2f780bef1?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=3 3x\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1288\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Fc56070a7-c8d4-4489-b973-d8b2f780bef1.jpg?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=1\" alt=\"Laura Loomer holding up a phone\" data-image-type=\"image\" width=\"2289\" height=\"1288\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><figcaption class=\"n-content-picture__caption o3-editorial-typography-caption\"><span>Laura Loomer\u2019s much discussed plastic surgery might be an example of what has become known as \u2018Mar-a-Lago face\u2019<\/span><span> <!-- -->\u00a9 Andrew Caballero Reynolds\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/8825a67f-d81c-402b-8375-afd62b454ef4\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good morning and welcome back. In today\u2019s newsletter: Donald Trump hits out at Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions in State&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":41481,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-us","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41480"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41480\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}