Iran dismisses US-Israeli nuclear claims as 'repetition of big lies' ahead of Geneva talks

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei launched a blistering critique Wednesday of US and Israeli allegations concerning Tehran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles, characterizing them as "the repetition of big lies." Quoting Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels on his social media account, Baghaei asserted that "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.' No one should be fooled by these prominent untruths."

Trump's State of the Union Ultimatum

The diplomatic broadside followed President Donald Trump's Tuesday State of the Union address, in which he declared: "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen." Trump's remarks came amid a significant US military buildup in the Persian Gulf and threats of military action should negotiations fail, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group already deployed and the USS Gerald R. Ford en route.

Geneva Talks and Iranian Red Lines

Thursday's scheduled third round of Omani-mediated indirect negotiations in Geneva will see Iran present a draft proposal, following initial talks in Muscat on February 6 and subsequent Geneva discussions February 17. Tehran maintains that sanctions relief must accompany any nuclear limitations and accuses Washington and Israel of fabricating pretexts for military intervention and regime change. Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed to respond decisively to any attack, while insisting their nuclear program serves exclusively peaceful purposes.