Iran pushes back against Trump's pressure ahead of Geneva talks

Iranian officials dismissed President Trump's public remarks as "big lies" and said they remain open to diplomacy; U.S. and Iranian delegations are due to meet in Geneva for a third round of talks.

Iranian officials publicly rejected President Trump's pressure tactics ahead of scheduled talks in Geneva, while also saying negotiations could proceed through diplomacy. The statements come as the United States has moved a large deployment of aircraft and warships to the Middle East. Iran is also managing domestic unrest following nationwide protests last month. The Geneva meeting is the third round of talks and is being mediated by Oman. What is known: - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman called U.S. allegations "big lies" and accused the U.S. of a disinformation campaign. - Iran's parliament speaker said Iran would take part in diplomacy that respects national dignity but warned against attacks during negotiations. - The U.S. has assembled a substantial deployment of aircraft and warships to the Middle East; satellite images appeared to show U.S. vessels at sea near Bahrain. - Iran and the U.S. are due to meet in Geneva on Thursday for a third round of mediated talks. Summary: The public exchanges underline elevated tensions between Tehran and Washington ahead of the Geneva talks, with both sides making firm statements and military forces positioned in the region. Delegations are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Thursday for a third round of mediated negotiations; further outcomes are undetermined at this time.