Today in Geneva, Iran dismissed US claims of its missile program as “big lies” following President Donald Trump’s accusations that Tehran is developing missiles capable of reaching the United States.
Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday accused Iran of harboring “sinister nuclear ambitions,” while escalating military deployments around the Gulf.
In a third round of talks set for Thursday, Iran and the US are scheduled to discuss a potential diplomatic solution. However, Trump stated Tehran already had missiles capable of threatening Europe, and was building weapons intended to reach the United States.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei responded by asserting that all such claims were “simply repetitions of big lies.” Quoting propaganda theories used by Western powers, he emphasized how “repetition can make a lie seem true.”
Trump had previously claimed Iran killed up to 32,000 people during protests in December and January. The West believes Iran’s nuclear program is intended for military use, while Tehran insists it has peaceful aims.
Despite Trump’s threats of strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on social media that a deal avoiding further conflict was within reach. He maintained, however, that Iran would not pursue a nuclear weapon and upheld its right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Iranian students have continued to protest against the regime’s leadership, defying red lines set by their government. Demonstrations resumed this week with confrontations and burning of flags at universities, highlighting ongoing public dissent in the country.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented over 7,000 deaths since protests began in December, warning that this figure could be much higher. While Iranian officials acknowledge more than 3,000 fatalities, they attribute these to “terrorist acts” fueled by the West.
Both nations’ leaders have reaffirmed their intentions for dialogue while also signaling readiness for conflict if negotiations fail. As talks continue in Geneva, international observers remain vigilant about Iran’s potential for nuclear proliferation and internal political unrest.