Iran Rejects U.S. Missile Allegations as ‘Big Lies,’ Defends Program as Defensive

 

Iran has strongly rejected recent U.S. accusations concerning its ballistic missile program, calling them “big lies” and accusing Washington of manufacturing threats to justify continued sanctions.

 Keyword: Iran missile program dispute 

Tags: #Iran #UnitedStates #MissileProgram #JCPOA #MiddleEast #UNSecurityCouncil #Sanctions #Geopolitics

The rebuttal, issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, where missile development, regional proxy conflicts, and stalled nuclear diplomacy continue to shape geopolitical fault lines.

Tehran’s Position: “Purely Defensive”

According to Iranian officials, the country’s missile program:

• Is intended strictly for self-defense

• Complies with relevant UN frameworks

• Does not violate international obligations

Kanaani described U.S. claims as “baseless propaganda,” asserting that Iran’s missile capabilities are a sovereign right in light of perceived regional threats.

Tehran has also pointed to Israel’s undeclared nuclear capabilities as a destabilizing factor in the region — though Israel neither confirms nor denies possessing nuclear weapons.

Washington’s Concerns

The United States Department of State has reiterated concerns that Iran’s recent missile tests — including a hypersonic variant unveiled last year — may exceed the 2,000-kilometer range referenced under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231 endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal and “called upon” Iran not to undertake activities related to ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons.

U.S. officials argue that:

• Iran’s expanding missile range could threaten regional and European security.

• The technology could potentially be adapted for nuclear payload delivery.

Iran, however, maintains that it does not seek nuclear weapons and insists its missile arsenal is conventional.

JCPOA Fallout and Escalation

Tensions intensified after the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump. Washington subsequently reimposed sweeping sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually scale back its nuclear commitments.

Efforts to revive the agreement have stalled amid broader regional volatility.

Recent developments, including attacks on Red Sea shipping attributed by Washington to Iran-backed Houthi forces, have further strained relations. U.S. officials have warned that continued escalation could invite direct military consequences.

European Mediation Efforts

European powers — notably France and Germany — have urged renewed diplomatic engagement. However, prospects remain uncertain amid political transitions in Washington and entrenched positions in Tehran.

Analysts suggest the rhetorical escalation serves dual purposes:

• For Iran: reinforcing domestic political support and projecting strategic resilience.

• For the U.S.: maintaining pressure through deterrence and sanctions enforcement.

Broader Regional Context  

 Iran has signaled it will continue advancing missile capabilities despite external pressure, framing the program as essential to national sovereignty and regional deterrence.

The dispute underscores a wider diplomatic stalemate — one intertwined with proxy conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon, and the unresolved future of nuclear diplomacy.

Whether the standoff deepens into direct confrontation or returns to negotiation will likely depend on shifts in U.S. policy, regional security calculations, and the broader trajectory of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

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