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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran responded on Wednesday to U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure tactics ahead of crucial talks in Geneva concerning
Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian officials labeled Trump's statements as 'big lies' while expressing hope that negotiations might lead to an agreement through 'honorable diplomacy.' The comments from Iranian representatives precede Thursday's discussions and coincide with the U.S. deploying its largest fleet of aircraft and warships to the Middle East in decades. This military buildup comes as Iran grapples with internal dissent following widespread protests last month.
Threats of Military Action
If negotiations fail, Trump has issued repeated threats to attack Iran, a scenario that Middle Eastern nations fear could escalate into a new regional conflict, especially as tensions from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war remain high. Iran has stated that all U.S. military bases in the Middle East would be deemed legitimate targets, endangering tens of thousands of American service members stationed in the region.U.S. Military Movements
Recent satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by The Associated Press, indicated that U.S. vessels typically stationed in Bahrain, the base of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, were seen at sea. The 5th Fleet declined to comment, referring inquiries to the U.S. military's Central Command, which has not yet responded. This strategic movement mirrors prior actions taken by the 5th Fleet before Iran's attack on Qatar in June, which aimed to safeguard against potential threats.Trump's State of the Union Address
During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump addressed the nuclear negotiations with Iran. He claimed, 'They’ve 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 of America.' Trump also alleged that Iran had been warned against reviving its weapons program, particularly concerning nuclear capabilities.In response, Iranian officials have insisted that their nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes. The West and the International Atomic Energy Agency assert that Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003. Prior to a U.S. attack in June, Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity, just shy of the weapons-grade level of 90%.
Iran's Counterclaims
Esmail Baghaei, a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, accused Trump of running a 'disinformation & misinformation campaign' against Iran, likening him to Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s propaganda minister. Baghaei stated, 'Whatever they’re alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of ‘big lies.'Trump's claim of 32,000 casualties during the protests is at the higher end of estimates provided by activists, while the Human Rights Activist News Agency has recorded over 7,000 deaths. The Iranian government reported 3,117 fatalities on January 21.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf emphasized that the U.S. must choose between diplomacy and facing Iran's retaliation, stating, '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.' He warned against deception and aggression during negotiations.
Upcoming Geneva Talks
The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to meet on Thursday in Geneva for their third round of talks mediated by Oman. The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, with the potential for military action looming if negotiations do not succeed. The U.S. has not clarified its military objectives, raising questions about the effectiveness of limited strikes in achieving concessions from Iran.Trump previously claimed that American strikes had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program, but dismantling any remnants of it appears to be back on the agenda. The status of Iran’s nuclear program remains unclear, with IAEA inspectors barred from accessing certain sites to verify their condition.
Concerns persist regarding the implications of any military action on the broader region. Iran could retaliate against U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf or Israel, contributing to rising oil prices amid these tensions.
