So here's the thing about geopolitics: sometimes the most interesting moments happen when people from opposite sides of the aisle agree on something. That's what played out during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

After more than an hour into the speech, Trump turned to the escalating tensions with Iran. He started by touting "Operation Midnight Hammer," a military action he said successfully took out Iran's three biggest uranium enrichment plants—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. But he quickly pivoted to the present, alleging that Iranian authorities had killed 32,000 protesters just last month. "They have already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas," Trump stated, "and they are working to build missiles that will soon reach the U.S." He called Iranian leaders "terrible people" who are "starting all over again."

Then came the line that got Democrats on their feet. "We haven't heard those secret words: ‘We will never have a nuclear weapon,'" Trump said of Iran's leadership. Several Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, stood up and applauded. It was one of those rare, bipartisan moments of concern over a foreign policy issue.

The timing was almost theatrical. Just hours before Trump spoke, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to social media to declare, "Our fundamental convictions are crystal clear: Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon." So, from Tehran's perspective, the "secret words" have already been said, loudly and publicly.

But there's a catch. According to Vice President JD Vance, Iran has not agreed to a key U.S. demand: zero uranium enrichment on its own soil. That's a major sticking point. American negotiators are heading to Geneva on Thursday for what are being framed as last-ditch talks with Iranian officials. The gap between public statements and negotiation demands is where the real drama is.

Think of it this way: Iran says it won't build a bomb. The U.S. says it needs to hear that promise in a specific way and also wants Iran to stop all enrichment activity. Meanwhile, Trump is warning about missiles that could one day reach American shores. It's a high-stakes game of diplomatic chicken, with the clock ticking toward Thursday's talks in Geneva.