State of the Union could be Trump’s best chance to sell US voters on his Iran plans

The State of the Union address provides US President Donald Trump with a nationally televised opportunity to persuade skeptical American voters to rally behind his threatened strikes against Iran over its nuclear program.

Advisers have urged Trump to focus on the economy, immigration and other domestic policy issues when he takes the U.S. House of Representatives podium for the speech at 9 p.m. local time Tuesday.

That has not been his focus to date.

Instead, the run-up to the event has been overshadowed by a huge buildup of US military forces in the Middle East and preparations for a conflict with Iran that could last for weeks if Tehran does not reach a deal to solve a longstanding dispute over its nuclear program.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a briefing on Iran hours before the speech for Congress’ “Gang of Eight” — comprised of the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives and the two chambers’ intelligence committees.

“First and foremost, if they want to do something in Iran – and who the hell knows what it is – they should make it public and discuss it with the public and not keep it in secret. When you do these military operations in secret, it always causes longer wars, tragedy, more expenses and mistake(s),” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer tells a press conference, shortly before the classified session.