Ali Larajani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council [Yonhap News Agency]

Ali Larajani, the head of Iran's security apparatus and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has claimed that U.S. soldiers have been taken prisoner.

Larajani stated on X (formerly Twitter) on the 8th (local time), "I have received reports that several American soldiers have been captured," adding, "However, the United States claims they were killed in action."

He asserted that the U.S. is lying, stating, "The truth cannot be hidden for long."

The British media outlet The Mirror also reported on Larajani's claims through its U.S. edition.

In a statement sent to the semi-official ISNA news agency of Iran, Larajani said, "I heard news that several U.S. soldiers were captured in a neighboring country."

However, no further specific details were provided regarding the number of prisoners or the circumstances of their capture.

Larajani is currently the de facto leader during the transitional period, holding comprehensive military and security authority in Iran, and has been mentioned as one of the potential candidates to succeed the Supreme Leader. Having earned Khamenei's trust, he is known to have been entrusted with state affairs by Khamenei before the recent airstrikes.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, has denied Larajani's claims.

Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, stated, "The Iranian regime is using every means to spread lies and deceive, and this is another example."