US Iran tensions live updates: Iran rejects Trump’s missile and nuclear claims as ‘big lies’, accuses US and Israel of disinformation

Tehran has strongly dismissed recent allegations by the United States and Israel regarding its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and casualties during January unrest. “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',” said Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s Head of Center for Public Diplomacy and Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry. He accused the US and Israel of running a systematic disinformation campaign to mislead the global audience.

Esmaeil Baqaei, Head of Iran’s Center for Public Diplomacy and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused the U.S. administration and Israel of spreading systematic disinformation against Iran.

“Professional liars are good at creating the 'illusion of truth.' ‘Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth,’ is a law of propaganda coined by Nazi Joseph Goebbels. This is now systematically used by the U.S. administration and the war profiteers encircling it, particularly the genocidal Israeli regime, to serve their sinister disinformation & misinformation campaign against the Nation of Iran,” Baqaei said in a post on X.

He added that allegations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and casualty figures from January’s unrest are “simply the repetition of 'big lies'” and warned that “no one should be fooled by these prominent untruths.”

Amid rising US-Iran tensions, Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Tehran will not tolerate any actions that “jeopardize the sovereignty of regional nations.” Speaking to Press TV, he added, “While Iran does not seek conflict, it will respond decisively should war be imposed upon it.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties, with discussions expected on defence, artificial intelligence, and regional security. The visit comes as the United States positions naval forces near Iran amid stalled nuclear talks, raising regional concerns.

Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, long-time allies, are set to hold talks on military cooperation while exploring broader strategic partnerships. Modi will also address Israel’s Knesset and lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. Analysts note India is keen on Israeli defence technology but cautious about formal alliances, maintaining its non-alignment stance.

Amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program, both Tehran and Washington signaled a preference for diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal is “within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.” US President Donald Trump, speaking to a joint session of Congress, echoed this approach, stating his preference to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels. The remarks come ahead of planned negotiations between the two nations.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described Iran as the “world’s number one sponsor of terrorism” during his State of the Union address, even as he said he prefers a diplomatic solution to rising tensions.

His remarks came ahead of a final round of talks between Washington and Tehran in Geneva on Thursday. Trump said the US remains open to negotiations but will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.

The president said that he would prefer a deal with Iran but they haven’t said what U.S. officials want to hear, which is that they will not build a nuclear weapon.

But over series of negotiations between Tehran and Washington, Iranian officials have repeated said that their nuclear program is peaceful and that they vow not to create a weapon. Earlier Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it again. “Our fundamental convictions are crystal clear: Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon,” he wrote on X.

US President Donald Trump said his administration is engaged in negotiations with Iran to ease tensions, while maintaining pressure over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Speaking about his approach, Trump said he prefers resolving the issue through dialogue but underscored Washington’s firm stance. “We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

His remarks came as he referenced past US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, highlighting what he described as a hardline posture even as diplomatic efforts continue.

US President Donald Trump will deliver his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, outlining his administration’s achievements and priorities amid the upcoming US Iran nuclear talks.

The speech is expected to touch on affordability, immigration, a recent Supreme Court of the United States ruling on global tariffs and foreign policy, with the White House saying the theme will centre on America’s 250th anniversary.

As the United States amasses significant naval and air power near Iran, many Iranians are anxiously awaiting nuclear talks in Geneva, seen by some as a last chance to avert conflict with President Donald Trump.

While Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is determined to secure a fair deal, residents in Tehran voiced fears of a devastating war amid deep economic strain and political unrest.

Oil prices edged higher as investors assessed the prospects of a US-Iran nuclear deal ahead of talks in Geneva, even as a major American military deployment in the Middle East kept markets cautious. West Texas Intermediate traded near $66 a barrel, while Brent crude hovered below $71.

President Donald Trump said he preferred diplomacy but warned failure to reach an agreement would be “very bad” for Tehran. Traders are also watching the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, amid concerns Iran could disrupt shipments if tensions escalate.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a nuclear agreement with the United States is “within reach” ahead of a fresh round of negotiations in Geneva later this week. He said Iran is committed to never developing a nuclear weapon but insists on its right to peaceful nuclear technology, urging that diplomacy be prioritised.

The talks come amid heightened US military presence in the region and renewed warnings from President Donald Trump of possible strikes if no deal is reached.