WASHINGTON — Iranian authorities accused U.S. President Donald Trump of making false statements about Iran’s nuclear program during his 2026 State of the Union address, as both countries prepare for anticipated bilateral discussions.
Trump delivered the address to a joint session of Congress and raised concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He said Iran was moving closer to developing nuclear weapons and warned that the United States would act if Tehran advanced beyond what he called acceptable limits.
Senior Iranian officials rejected the claims and described the remarks as “big lies.” They said Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful and under international monitoring, citing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. They said Iran’s nuclear activities focus on civilian energy and research and do not include weapons development.
Iranian officials said Trump’s comments could damage trust ahead of expected talks that may address nuclear issues, sanctions, and regional security. They said public accusations create tension and complicate diplomacy.
U.S. officials aligned with Trump maintained that Iran’s past enrichment levels and limits on monitoring raised concerns about compliance with previous commitments. They said the United States supports strict oversight and pressure to ensure transparency.