Iran has accused the United States of spreading “big lies” about its missile programme and internal unrest following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, dismissed claims about Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during recent protests. “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’,” he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Trump, during his record 107-minute speech, told lawmakers that Iran has “already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach” the United States. He also branded Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and claimed that at least 32,000 protesters were killed during recent unrest in the country.

Despite these warnings, Trump spent only three minutes addressing Iran, saying he prefers diplomacy but insisting the US has not heard Iran say “those secret words we will never have a nuclear weapon.” His speech offered little clarity on whether military action against Tehran remains a serious consideration, even as he has deployed the largest US military presence to the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Iranian officials insist that uranium enrichment is a sovereign right and repeatedly deny seeking a nuclear weapon, though evidence over the years indicates the country has tested materials linked to nuclear weapons development. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, stressed that Tehran is committed to negotiations but warned that military threats would be met with retaliation. “If you choose the table of diplomacy a diplomacy in which the dignity of the Iranian nation and mutual interests are respected we will also be at that table. But if you decide to repeat past experiences through deception, lies, flawed analysis and false information, and launch an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation and the country’s defensive forces,” he said.

The third round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Geneva, mediated by Oman and attended by Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Analysts say the heightened rhetoric and ongoing military deployments could complicate negotiations, which aim to prevent a renewed nuclear arms race in the region.

During the State of the Union, Trump also attacked Democrats, calling them “crazy” and “anti-American,” while Republican lawmakers applauded. Several Democrats walked out early, including Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who posted on Bluesky that he “couldn’t sit through an hour of Trump’s lies.” Meanwhile, Trump highlighted domestic achievements, awarding medals to Olympians and National Guard personnel, and described a “turnaround for the ages” in his first year back in office, despite low approval ratings and voter concerns over the economy.

Iran’s condemnation of US statements underscores the deep mistrust between the two countries, just as nuclear negotiations enter a critical phase. Observers caution that the interplay of aggressive rhetoric and military posturing risks undermining diplomatic progress in Geneva. (Arise news)

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