“No matter they’re alleging with regard to Iran’s nuclear programme, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the variety of casualties throughout January’s unrest, is solely the repetition of ‘massive lies’,” Iran’s International Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei mentioned.
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Iran’s International Ministry on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) dismissed U.S. claims about its missile programme as “massive lies”, after President Donald Trump mentioned Tehran was growing missiles that may strike america.
“No matter they’re alleging with regard to Iran’s nuclear programme, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the variety of casualties throughout January’s unrest, is solely the repetition of ‘massive lies’,” Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei mentioned on X.
Mr. Baqaei didn’t specify precisely which claims he was responding to, however hours earlier Mr. Trump had mentioned Iran was looking for missiles that might attain American soil.
In an interview with Al Jazeera this month, Iran’s International Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned Tehran lacked the aptitude to focus on the U.S. however would assault American bases within the Center East if Washington launched a strike.
Throughout his State of the Union speech, Mr. Trump additionally reiterated that Iran would by no means be allowed to construct a nuclear weapon, saying Tehran’s leaders have been “at this second once more pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions”.
Iran has repeatedly denied it’s looking for a nuclear weapon however insists it has the precise to make use of nuclear know-how for peaceable functions.
The U.S. President additionally claimed that Iranian authorities killed 32,000 folks throughout a wave of protests that began in December and peaked on January 8 and 9.
Iranian officers acknowledge greater than 3,000 deaths, however say the violence was attributable to “terrorist acts” fuelled by america and Israel.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists Information Company (HRANA) has recorded greater than 7,000 deaths, whereas warning the total toll is probably going far increased.
Mr. Trump’s claims come after Washington and Tehran concluded two rounds of Oman-mediated talks aimed toward reaching a deal on the nuclear programme, with the third-round set for Thursday (February 26).
Washington has repeatedly referred to as for zero uranium enrichment by Iran however has additionally sought to deal with its ballistic missile programme and assist for militant teams within the area, calls for Iran has rejected.
Mr. Trump, who has ratcheted up strain on Iran to succeed in an settlement, has deployed a major naval pressure to the Center East.
Printed – February 25, 2026 03:07 pm IST