Iran’s foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed US claims about its missile programme as “big lies,” following President Donald Trump’s assertion that Tehran is developing missiles capable of striking the United States.
“Whatever they’re alleging regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of ‘big lies,’” ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on X.
Baqaei did not specify which claims he was referring to, but hours earlier Trump had said Iran was pursuing missiles that could reach American soil.
In an interview with Al Jazeera this month, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran lacked the capability to target the US directly but would strike American bases in the Middle East if Washington launched an attack.
During his State of the Union address, Trump reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to build a nuclear weapon, accusing Tehran’s leaders of “again pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions.”
Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear arms, insisting it has the right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Trump also claimed that Iranian authorities killed 32,000 people during protests that began in December and peaked on January 8–9. Iranian officials acknowledge over 3,000 deaths, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts” allegedly fuelled by the US and Israel. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has recorded more than 7,000 fatalities, warning the true toll is likely higher.
Trump’s remarks follow two rounds of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear programme, with a third round scheduled for Thursday. The US has demanded zero uranium enrichment and raised concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional militant support, demands Iran has rejected.
Meanwhile, Trump has increased pressure on Tehran, deploying a significant US naval force to the Middle East.
AFP
