Iran Rejects Trump’s Claims of Planned Attacks on US Cities

JAKARTA – The Iranian government has rejected US President Donald Trump’s allegations that Iran could launch attacks against American cities. Tehran described the claims as unfounded and suggested they were intended to serve domestic political interests.

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali delivered the denial in an interview with Russian news agency TASS, published on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Jalali emphasized that Iran’s military policy is based on defense and deterrence. He also stated that Iran had never been the party to initiate a war.

Despite rejecting the allegations, Jalali acknowledged that Iran’s missile capabilities represent a military strength that cannot be ignored.

Jalali suggested that Trump was using the narrative of threats against American cities to avoid political responsibility and divert attention from domestic issues.

According to Jalali, the statements were also connected to political rivalries in the United States, including Trump’s disputes with Democratic opponents in California.

Trump had previously raised the possibility that cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego could become targets of Iranian missile attacks. His remarks sparked controversy and criticism from several US political figures.

The White House previously explained that Trump’s comments were intended to highlight what the administration considers potential risks if Iran acquires nuclear weapons. However, the remarks continued to fuel debate over their meaning and context.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei also criticized Trump’s statements in a post on social media platform X.

Baqaei argued that narratives about external threats were being used to create fear among the American public. He said public attention should instead focus on the consequences of wars involving the United States and their broader global impact.

Iran’s response comes amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington, particularly over military conflicts and Iran’s nuclear program.

The Iranian government has repeatedly denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the United States and several Western countries have continued to express concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities and missile capabilities.

The two countries’ conflicting positions have kept security concerns and the possibility of military escalation at the center of geopolitical tensions in the region. (*)

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