Trump Makes Iran Missile, Protest Deaths Claims; Tehran Slams ‘Big Lies’

In a contentious moment during his State of the Union address, Donald Trump issued a series of forceful accusations against Iran, asserting that Tehran is pursuing long-range missiles and bears responsibility for thousands of protest deaths — claims Tehran has vehemently rejected as “big lies” amid rising tensions and ongoing diplomatic talks.
Trump’s remarks, delivered to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, underscored his administration’s hardline stance toward Iran while warning of continued military readiness if diplomacy does not yield substantial concessions from Tehran. In his record-length speech, Trump said the United States will “never allow” Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and reiterated warnings that Tehran’s leaders are pursuing what he described as “sinister ambitions” in both nuclear and missile capabilities.
Accusations of Nuclear and Missile Ambitions
At the heart of Trump’s address were allegations that Iran was working to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop ballistic missiles capable of threatening U.S. territory. Trump claimed that after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in 2025, Tehran continued efforts to resurrect its weapons infrastructure, including developing missiles that could reach the United States and Europe.
“We wiped it out and they want to start all over again,” Trump said, describing Iran’s actions as evidence of hostile intent. He also accused Tehran of threatening U.S. allies and interests overseas with long-range missile technology, though independent assessments note that Iran still lacks an operational intercontinental ballistic missile capability and would require years to develop one.
Protest Death Toll: Disputed Figures
Trump also addressed Iran’s internal unrest, claiming that Iranian authorities were responsible for the deaths of up to 32,000 protesters during antigovernment demonstrations that erupted late last year. Human rights groups and regional observers describe the unrest as one of Iran’s most significant protest movements in years, but figures on fatalities vary widely and are difficult to verify independently.
Iran’s own government reported around 3,117 deaths, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts” amid a broader security crackdown, while some human rights organizations report several thousand confirmed fatalities. Trump’s figure far exceeds both the official Iranian count and independent estimates, making it a conspicuous element of his speech.
Tehran’s Sharp Rebuttal
Iran responded swiftly to Trump’s claims, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran dismissing the allegations about missiles, nuclear ambitions, and protest deaths as outright fabrications. Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei called the accusations “a repetition of ‘big lies’” in a post on the social media platform X, accusing the United States and its allies of disseminating misinformation to justify pressure on Tehran.
“Iran has repeatedly denied that it is seeking nuclear weapons or developing missiles aimed at the United States,” Baghaei said, arguing that the claims are part of a broader disinformation campaign. He derided the repeated assertions as propaganda, invoking the idea that repeated falsehoods can create an “illusion of truth.”
Diplomacy Amid Escalation
Trump’s remarks came just ahead of the third round of indirect nuclear negotiations scheduled to take place in Geneva, mediated by Oman and attended by U.S. envoys and Iranian officials. Despite the heightened rhetoric, U.S. and Iranian delegations have agreed to return to the table, suggesting that diplomacy remains a parallel track even as both sides issue public warnings.
The United States has also deployed significant military assets to the Middle East, including carrier strike groups and additional forces intended to signal readiness should diplomatic talks falter. Iranian officials have responded that they seek a deal grounded in mutual respect but warn that any military strike would be met with decisive defensive action.
Political Reaction in Washington
Trump’s declarations elicited bipartisan reactions in Washington. Supporters applauded his strong posture toward Tehran, arguing that deterrence requires assertive rhetoric and credible threat of force. Critics, including some Democratic lawmakers, questioned the accuracy of the claims presented and urged greater reliance on verifiable intelligence and sustained diplomatic engagement.
Regional and Global Impact
The exchange between Washington and Tehran has reverberated across the Middle East and beyond, contributing to geopolitical uncertainty and influencing energy markets and regional alliances. Allies and rivals alike are watching closely, with some nations warning their citizens about travel to Iran amid the tensions.
As negotiations proceed and allegations continue to fly, the episode highlights both the deep mistrust between the United States and Iran and the complex interplay between military posture and diplomatic efforts. Whether Trump’s rhetoric serves to strengthen negotiating leverage or further entrenches divisions remains a central question in one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges facing both capitals.