Iran Rejects US Nuclear and Missile Allegations as ‘Big Lies’

Iran has forcefully denied allegations made by the United States regarding its nuclear and missile programs, calling them “big lies” in a statement that underscores the continuing tensions between the two nations.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani issued the rebuke following accusations from Washington that Tehran is advancing its nuclear capabilities and expanding its ballistic missile program. According to Kanaani, these claims are part of a deliberate misinformation campaign designed to isolate Iran diplomatically and justify continued economic pressure.

“These baseless allegations are consistent with the United States’ longstanding policy of demonizing Iran in the international arena,” Kanaani stated during a press briefing in Tehran. “We categorically reject these claims and reiterate that our nuclear program remains peaceful in nature and under full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

The diplomatic clash comes amid stalled efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the Trump administration unilaterally abandoned in 2018. Since then, Iran has gradually rolled back its compliance with the agreement’s limitations, increasing uranium enrichment levels and restricting international inspectors’ access to certain sites.

The Biden administration initially expressed interest in rejoining the accord but negotiations have repeatedly hit roadblocks. Recent IAEA reports indicate that Iran has continued enriching uranium to 60% purity, significantly higher than the 3.67% limit established under the JCPOA and much closer to the 90% threshold considered weapons-grade.

Regional security experts note that the escalation in rhetoric reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Dr. Sanam Vakil, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, explained: “The nuclear dispute remains at the center of U.S.-Iran antagonism, but it’s also become a proxy for wider disagreements about regional influence, missile development, and Iran’s support for non-state actors across the region.”

Iran’s missile program has been a particular point of contention, with Washington arguing that Tehran’s development of ballistic missile technology poses a direct threat to U.S. allies in the region, including Israel and Saudi Arabia. The United States has sought to include missile restrictions in any future nuclear agreement, a demand Iran has consistently rejected as non-negotiable.

“Our missile capabilities represent a vital component of our legitimate defensive strategy,” Kanaani emphasized. “No sovereign nation would compromise on its essential security interests, especially in a region where we face constant threats.”

Global oil markets have reacted with characteristic sensitivity to the heightened tensions, with crude prices experiencing modest fluctuations as traders assess the potential for disruption in the oil-rich Persian Gulf. Iran, holding the world’s fourth-largest crude oil reserves, has seen its petroleum exports severely curtailed by U.S. sanctions, removing approximately two million barrels per day from global markets since 2018.

European diplomats have attempted to maintain a middle ground in the dispute, supporting the verification role of the IAEA while advocating for a diplomatic solution. An EU diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that European capitals remain concerned about the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program but continue to view dialogue as the only viable path forward.

“The window for diplomatic resolution is narrowing, but it has not closed entirely,” the source noted. “All parties need to demonstrate the political will to engage constructively rather than trading accusations.”

As the standoff continues, analysts warn that the absence of diplomatic progress increases the risk of miscalculation. The International Crisis Group recently cautioned that “without meaningful engagement, the cycle of provocation and counter-provocation could inadvertently lead to a broader confrontation that neither side actively seeks.”

For now, both Washington and Tehran appear entrenched in their respective positions, with little indication that either is prepared to make the significant concessions necessary to break the diplomatic impasse.