WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — A high-stakes war of nerves has erupted between Washington and Tehran following claims by Iran’s top security official that several American soldiers have been captured alive.
The allegation, made by Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, suggested that the U.S. government is actively covering up the captures by falsely reporting the service members as “killed in action” (KIA).
“It has been reported to me that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner,” Larijani posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. “But the Americans claim they have been killed in action. Despite their futile efforts, the truth is not something they can hide for too long.”
The White House and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) moved swiftly to shut down the claims, labeling them as “categorically false” and a desperate attempt at psychological warfare.
“There is no truth to these reports. They are part of a deliberate campaign by the Iranian regime to spread misinformation and deceive the global public,” a CENTCOM spokesperson stated.
The timing of the claim is particularly sensitive. Just days ago, President Donald Trump attended a solemn “dignified transfer” at Dover Air Force Base for six U.S. service members killed during the initial wave of the conflict that began on February 28. While the U.S. maintains these were combat deaths, Tehran is now attempting to cast doubt on those official records.
Military analysts suggest that by claiming to hold prisoners, Iran may be trying to gain leverage and stir domestic unrest within the U.S. regarding the cost of the intervention. However, without photographic or video evidence of the alleged detainees, the Pentagon has dismissed the claims as “baseless propaganda.”
The escalation follows a series of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian strategic assets, marking the most significant direct military confrontation between the nations in decades.
