President Joe Biden avoided the subject of Iran almost entirely in his State of the Union address on Thursday, focusing on issues that may be more advantageous for him in an election year.
In what largely sounded like an early campaign speech, Joe Biden mentioned the word Iran only once –and the word nuclear not even once, as Iran is now on the verge of a nuclear breakout.
“Creating stability in the Middle East also means containing the threat posed by Iran,” he said, "that's why I built a coalition of more than a dozen countries to defend international shipping and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. I’ve ordered strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities and defend US Forces in the region.”
The Houthis in Yemen have turned out to be Iran’s wild card in the past few months, often stealing the limelight from Iran’s more prominent proxies like the Lebanese Hezbollah or the armed groups in Syria and Iraq –who killed 3 American soldiers in a US base in Jordan in late January.
“As Commander in Chief, I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and military personnel,” Biden warned, without elaborating on what those measures may be and against what adversary.
Iranian government-controlled media was silent about Biden's remarks Friday morning, perhaps because it is weekend in Iran and reactions were slower.
Many critics of the President were quick to point out the conspicuous absence of Iran in his speech, especially his silence on the loss of American lives.
“Zero mention of the 3 American heroes tragically killed in a drone attack carried out by Iran-backed proxies in Jordan,” posted the Republican Congressman Andrew Clyde on X. “Have you no shame, Mr President?”
Biden largely abandoned Donald Trump's 'maximum pressure' against Iran and engaged in long negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, Iran began increasing its oil exports to China despite the sanctions and earned much needed foreign currency amid its economic crisis.
“In Joe Biden’s America, billions flow to Iran while Iranian intelligence agents operate in the United States, plotting to assassinate senior U.S. government officials,” wrote Senator Ted Cruz, pillorying Biden’s State of the Union address in a post titled ‘The Real State of the Union.’
The speech Thursday night was President Biden’s third State of the Union address. Fearing that it could be his last, Biden abandoned tradition and attacked a political opponent –in this case, his expected rival in the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump.
Trump, true to form, reacted in real time on his own platform Truth Social, mocking Biden, especially on immigration, but also on his foreign policy, including relations with Russia, China and Iran.
“He made Iran rich. This is why we have the problems in the Middle East,” Trump posted. “With me, Iran was broke. He is the reason the Middle East is blowing up!”
President Biden attacked Donald Trump on several occasions, referring to him as “my predecessor.” Most notably, he denounced the former President for saying he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to Nato countries, calling it “outrageous and dangerous.”
At the end of Biden’s speech, Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) delivered the Republicans’ rebuttal, attacking the President for his “weakness” in the face of threats against US interests.
"Biden's weakness isn't just hurting families at home," she said, “he's making us a punchline on the world stage. We've become a nation in retreat. And the enemies of freedom, they see an opportunity."
At 81, Joe Biden is the oldest president in US history. His age, his fitness and his mental capacity have been a constant theme in US politics ever since he took office –and will almost certainly be so in the months ahead leading to November.
"Right now, our Commander in Chief is not in command," said Senator Katie Britt, who some believe may be a candidate for Donald Trump’s VP. “The free world deserves better than a dithering and diminished leader."