Iran accuses Trump of ‘big lies’ ahead of Geneva talks in face of major US military deployment
In his State of the Union address Trump said his preference was to use diplomacy in dealing with Iran. But, he added, “I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon.”
Iranian state TV released on Tuesday a video showing the country’s Revolutionary Guard holding a drill that included launching missiles, flying drones and firing guns at targets along its coast, without elaborating on the exact time or place of the exercise.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford remained docked on Wednesday at the U.S. naval base on the island of Crete, as part of a major buildup of American forces in the Middle East. The Ford arrived at Souda Bay on the southern Greek island on Monday amid warnings by President Donald Trump of possible military action against Iran.
Iranians are facing a sudden surge in prices for food and daily essentials, and many families say they cannot keep up. Prices for everyday items in Iran, from groceries to toiletries, are soaring as years of inflation are compounded by uncertainty over recent protests and U.S. military threats. (AP video shot by Saeed Sarmadi)
5 of 9 | Commuters drive past Saint Sarkis church and a mural of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini in downtown Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
6 of 9 | Women walk past a mural at a girls school at Enqelab-e-Eslami, or Islamic Revolution Street in downtown Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
7 of 9 | A woman crosses a square as motorbikes ride past in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
8 of 9 | Vehicles drive in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
9 of 9 | Women walk across an overpass in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
In his State of the Union address Trump said his preference was to use diplomacy in dealing with Iran. But, he added, “I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon.”
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Read More 2 of 9 Iranian state TV released on Tuesday a video showing the country’s Revolutionary Guard holding a drill that included launching missiles, flying drones and firing guns at targets along its coast, without elaborating on the exact time or place of the exercise.
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Read More 3 of 9 The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford remained docked on Wednesday at the U.S. naval base on the island of Crete, as part of a major buildup of American forces in the Middle East. The Ford arrived at Souda Bay on the southern Greek island on Monday amid warnings by President Donald Trump of possible military action against Iran.
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Read More 4 of 9 Iranians are facing a sudden surge in prices for food and daily essentials, and many families say they cannot keep up. Prices for everyday items in Iran, from groceries to toiletries, are soaring as years of inflation are compounded by uncertainty over recent protests and U.S. military threats. (AP video shot by Saeed Sarmadi)
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More 5 of 9 | Commuters drive past Saint Sarkis church and a mural of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini in downtown Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Commuters drive past Saint Sarkis church and a mural of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini in downtown Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More 6 of 9 | Women walk past a mural at a girls school at Enqelab-e-Eslami, or Islamic Revolution Street in downtown Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Women walk past a mural at a girls school at Enqelab-e-Eslami, or Islamic Revolution Street in downtown Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More 7 of 9 | A woman crosses a square as motorbikes ride past in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
A woman crosses a square as motorbikes ride past in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More 8 of 9 | Vehicles drive in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Vehicles drive in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More 9 of 9 | Women walk across an overpass in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Women walk across an overpass in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More By JON GAMBRELL Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Leer en español --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit freestar.queue.push(function() { let thisPlacement = "apnews_leaderboard"; window.fsAdCounts = window.fsAdCounts || {}; window.fsAdCounts[thisPlacement] = window.fsAdCounts[thisPlacement] + 1 || 0; let adList = document.getElementsByClassName(thisPlacement); if (adList.length DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran pushed back Wednesday against U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure tactics ahead of critical talks in Geneva over Tehran’s nuclear program, alternating between calling his remarks “big lies” and saying negotiations may yield an agreement through “honorable diplomacy.”
