Iran says Trump's claims serve as pretext for new strikes

Iran has dismissed US President Donald Trump's claims about a new nuclear facility, saying they are groundless and intended to justify further military strikes against the country.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran's nuclear activities have been fully declared to the IAEA in accordance with its safeguards obligations, Caliber.Az reports.

“Washington’s obsessive focus on Kolang Kouh where no nuclear activity is taking place is nothing more than a fabricated pretext for aggression, destruction, and sabotage," Baghaei wrote on X.

The repeated U.S. attacks and threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities not only constitute a flagrant violation of the core principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the relevant resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors, General Conference, and UN Security…

— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) July 22, 2026

He also questioned the silence of the International Atomic Energy Agency, asking: "where is the Director General of the IAEA, who is also a candidate for UN Secretary-General?"

Earlier, Trump said the United States was prepared to strike what he described as a new Iranian nuclear site "near Natanz."

The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28.

Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

However, on July 8, the United States resumed large-scale strikes on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating the agreement's provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov