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Iran's top security official claimed late Saturday that several American soldiers had been taken prisoner while accusing Washington of covering up their capture by reporting them as killed in action.
The U.S. military swiftly rejected the claim, calling it a deliberate attempt at deception.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, posted, X: "It has been reported to me that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner. But the Americans claim that they have been killed in action."
"Despite their futile efforts, the truth is not something they can hide for too long," Larijani added.
He did not provide details on where or when the alleged captures took place, or how many soldiers were involved.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) rejected the claim. CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said, "The Iranian regime is doing everything it can to spread lies and deceive everyone. This is a clear example of that."
CENTCOM has previously reported that six U.S. service members have been killed since the military campaign against Iran began on Feb. 28. Ten others have been seriously wounded.
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The competing claims underscored the intensifying information war accompanying the military conflict now in its ninth day, as both sides have sought to shape narratives around battlefield developments, with Iranian officials emphasizing resilience and U.S. officials projecting dominance.
The United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and over 1,000 people in total, according to Iranian and international figures.
Iran has retaliated with sweeping barrages targeting U.S. bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities.
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