Iran’s foreign minister has sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as “big lies” during Tuesday’s State of the Union address, escalating tensions in an already fraught relationship between the two nations.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian took to social media following President Trump’s speech, accusing the American leader of deliberately misrepresenting facts about Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities. The comments come amid increasing diplomatic strain following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“President Trump’s characterization of our peaceful nuclear energy program contains the same falsehoods we have repeatedly refuted,” Amir-Abdollahian stated. “Iran remains committed to its international obligations, while the United States continues to violate the legally-binding agreement that was endorsed by the UN Security Council.”

During his address to Congress, Trump described Iran as “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism” and claimed the Iranian regime was using funds released through the nuclear deal to finance militant groups across the Middle East. He also suggested Iran was not complying with inspection requirements, a claim that international monitoring organizations have disputed.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is responsible for verifying Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal, has consistently certified Iran’s adherence to the agreement prior to the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. Since then, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance in what it describes as a proportional response to American sanctions.

Regional experts note that the exchange represents more than just diplomatic posturing. Dr. Suzanne Maloney, Deputy Director of the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution, explained that “this war of words reflects the fundamental impasse between Washington and Tehran, with real consequences for regional stability and global oil markets.”

The verbal sparring has already impacted oil prices, with Brent crude futures rising nearly 2% following the escalation in rhetoric, as markets remain sensitive to any suggestion of conflict in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region. Iran, which possesses the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves, has seen its exports severely limited by U.S. sanctions.

The conflict extends beyond the nuclear issue to encompass Iran’s influence throughout the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The U.S. has accused Iran of supplying weapons and training to Houthi rebels in Yemen and militias in Iraq, while Iran maintains these groups are independent actors fighting for legitimate political goals.

“The fundamental disagreement between Iran and the United States concerns not just nuclear issues but a broader contest for influence across the Middle East,” said Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group. “Trump’s comments and Iran’s responses reflect this deeper strategic competition.”

For ordinary Iranians, the diplomatic clash has real economic consequences. The reimposition of U.S. sanctions has contributed to runaway inflation, currency devaluation, and medication shortages. The Iranian rial has lost more than 60% of its value against the dollar since the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.

European signatories to the JCPOA have attempted to preserve the deal by creating INSTEX, a special purpose vehicle designed to facilitate trade with Iran despite U.S. sanctions. However, the mechanism has proven largely ineffective against the reach of American secondary sanctions.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed concern about the escalating tensions, calling for “all parties to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomatic channels.” Borrell has repeatedly stressed the importance of preserving the nuclear deal as a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime.

As both sides dig in, prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough appear increasingly remote. With presidential elections approaching in both countries, domestic political considerations are likely to further complicate efforts to reduce tensions, leaving the Middle East on edge and global energy markets vulnerable to sudden disruptions.