Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday firmly rejected a recent Fox News report alleging the discovery of a secret Iranian nuclear facility in Semnan province, calling it a politically motivated attempt to sabotage renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi dismissed the report and its satellite imagery as disinformation orchestrated to undermine the forthcoming round of indirect nuclear negotiations. “Like clockwork, more Very Scary Satellite Images are being circulated as Iran-US indirect nuclear talks are set to resume,” he wrote, referring to what he characterized as efforts led by Israel to derail diplomatic progress.
Fox News claimed it had obtained exclusive satellite images revealing a covert 2,500-acre facility, allegedly operating under the guise of a chemical company named Diba Energy Siba. The compound, codenamed the “Rainbow Site,” was described as having been operational for over a decade. The report cited unnamed sources and alleged intelligence assessments.
The Iranian foreign minister’s rebuttal comes just ahead of the anticipated fourth round of Oman-mediated indirect talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. Three previous rounds have taken place—twice in Muscat on April 12 and 26, and once in Rome on April 19.
Despite tensions, Iranian officials continue to assert their preference for diplomacy. On Thursday, Major General Hossein Salami, Chief Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a peaceful resolution but warned of a robust military response to any threat.
“Our preference and priority regarding addressing the nuclear issue is the path of diplomacy and a fair manner, far from the atmosphere of threat. However, we are ready for any war on any scale,” Salami stated during a ceremony in Mashhad, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
He reiterated that Iran voluntarily refrains from pursuing nuclear weapons, which remain excluded from the country’s defense doctrine. Salami also cast doubt on the United States’ credibility, accusing Washington of past interference and repeated failures to honor its commitments.
“If you put a foot wrong, we will open the doors of hell to you,” he warned, underscoring Iran’s readiness for confrontation if provoked.
The upcoming round of talks, originally scheduled for May 3 in Rome, has been postponed due to what Oman described as “logistical reasons.” The delay comes amid heightened tensions following the imposition of fresh U.S. sanctions in late April targeting Iranian individuals and entities, as well as foreign actors linked to Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the geopolitical stakes remain high, with both sides navigating a volatile mix of political distrust, regional security concerns, and pressure from hardline factions at home and abroad.
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