Iran Dismisses US Claims on Missiles & Nuclear Programme | Trump Accusations
Iran Rejects US Claims of Missile Development, Accusations of ‘Big Lies’
– Iran’s foreign ministry has dismissed US assertions regarding its missile program as “big lies,” following statements by President Donald Trump alleging Tehran is developing missiles capable of reaching the United States.
The exchange unfolded after President Trump, during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, accused Iran of pursuing “sinister nuclear ambitions” and highlighted a significant US military deployment in the Gulf region. The two nations are scheduled to convene for a third round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, aiming for a diplomatic resolution to escalating tensions.
According to President Trump, Iran has already developed missiles that pose a threat to Europe and US bases overseas and is actively working on missiles with the range to strike the continental United States. He further stated that Iran is attempting to restart its nuclear program, asserting they are “at this moment again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei refuted these claims on Wednesday, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to state, “Whatever they’re alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear programme, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest, is simply the repetition of ‘big lies’.” Baqaei did not specify which particular claims he was addressing.
President Trump also alleged that Iranian authorities were responsible for the deaths of 32,000 people during protests that began in December and peaked in early January. Iranian officials acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts” allegedly fueled by the United States and Israel.
The West has long expressed concerns that Iran is seeking to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Tehran consistently denies, maintaining that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes. Trump has warned of potential military strikes against Iran should a diplomatic agreement not be reached.
Tehran has repeatedly stated it would respond forcefully to any attack, characterizing even a limited strike as an act of aggression.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” President Trump said.
Prior to his address, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that a deal to avert military conflict was potentially achievable. “We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests,” Araghchi posted on social media, adding that a resolution was “within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.”
Araghchi affirmed Iran’s commitment to not developing nuclear weapons “under no circumstances ever,” while simultaneously asserting the country’s right to utilize nuclear technology for peaceful applications.
Previous negotiations between Iran and the US, encompassing five rounds of talks last year, stalled following an unprecedented attack on Iran that triggered a 12-day conflict. The current round of talks in Geneva represents a renewed effort to de-escalate tensions and find a path towards a lasting diplomatic solution.