DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — As crucial talks over Iran’s nuclear program are set to start in Geneva on Thursday, Tehran has sharply responded to recent pressure tactics employed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Iranian officials alternated between dismissing Trump’s statements as “big lies” and expressing cautious optimism that negotiations could still yield a resolution through “honorable diplomacy.” The exchange occurs against a backdrop of heightened military presence in the Middle East, with the U.S. Deploying what officials describe as its largest concentration of aircraft and warships to the region in decades.
The U.S. Military buildup is intended to constrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions while similarly addressing internal unrest within the country following widespread protests last month. Should the Geneva talks fail, Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, a prospect that has raised concerns among regional nations about a potential escalation into a wider conflict. Iran has responded by declaring that all U.S. Military bases in the Middle East would be considered legitimate targets, potentially endangering tens of thousands of American service members.
Satellite imagery analyzed by the Associated Press on Tuesday revealed a significant repositioning of U.S. Naval assets. Vessels typically docked in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, were observed at sea. The 5th Fleet deferred inquiries to U.S. Central Command, which declined to provide comment. This deployment mirrors a similar maneuver undertaken before a previous incident in June, when ships were dispersed to mitigate the risk of attack.
The escalating tensions follow President Trump’s address to the nation during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. Trump asserted that Iran has already developed missiles capable of reaching Europe and U.S. Bases, and is actively working on missiles that could threaten the continental United States. “They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue. They’re starting it all over,” Trump stated. Satellite imagery has also indicated that Iran is rebuilding missile-production sites and resuming work at three nuclear facilities that were previously targeted by the U.S. In June, though Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Iranian Officials Push Back Against Allegations
Responding directly to Trump’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei drew a comparison between Trump and Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s propaganda minister, accusing the U.S. Administration of conducting a “disinformation & misinformation campaign.” Baghaei stated via X, formerly known as Twitter, that allegations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s protests were “simply the repetition of ‘big lies.’”
Trump claimed at least 32,000 people were killed during last month’s protests, a figure at the higher end of estimates. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency has reported over 7,000 deaths, believing the actual number to be significantly higher. Iran’s government, which has historically downplayed casualty figures, initially reported 3,117 deaths on January 21.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the U.S. Could choose diplomacy or face consequences. “If you choose the table of diplomacy — a diplomacy in which the dignity of the Iranian nation and mutual interests are respected — we will also be at that table,” Qalibaf said, according to the semiofficial Student News Network. However, he warned that any attempt to repeat “past experiences through deception, lies, flawed analysis and false information” would be met with a “firm blow” from Iran’s defensive forces.
Talks Underway with Oman Mediation
Iran and the U.S. Are scheduled to hold their third round of talks in Geneva on Thursday, mediated by Oman, a long-standing intermediary between Tehran and the West. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation arrived in Geneva late Wednesday to meet with U.S. Officials led by special U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance affirmed Trump’s stance that Iran cannot be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, stating on Fox News that military action would be considered “the ultimate military objective” if diplomacy fails. Vance emphasized that Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution but is prepared to apply military force if necessary. He added, “Most Americans understand that you can’t let the craziest and the worst regime in the world have nuclear weapons.” When questioned about the possibility of removing Iran’s supreme leader, Vance stated that Trump would “make the decision about how to ensure Iran does not have a nuclear weapon.”
The potential consequences of a failed negotiation remain uncertain. The timing of any potential military action is unclear, and the effectiveness of limited strikes in pressuring Iran to concede is questionable. A broader campaign aimed at removing Iran’s leadership could lead to a prolonged and destabilizing conflict. There is currently no publicly available information regarding post-conflict planning or the potential for chaos within Iran.
The current status of Iran’s nuclear program also remains unclear. While Trump previously claimed that American strikes had “obliterated” it, dismantling any remaining capabilities is now a stated objective. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have not been granted access to verify the current state of these sites.
Any military action carries the risk of wider regional repercussions, with potential retaliation from Iran against U.S. Allies in the Persian Gulf or Israel. Concerns about these potential disruptions have already contributed to a recent increase in oil prices.
The outcome of the Geneva talks will be closely watched as the international community seeks to avert a potentially devastating conflict in the Middle East. The coming days will be critical in determining whether a diplomatic solution can be reached or if the region is headed towards further escalation.
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