Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that the country is engaged in what he described as a “total war” with the United States, Israel and Europe, accusing Western powers of mounting coordinated pressure aimed at weakening Tehran across multiple fronts.
Pezeshkian made the remarks in interviews published by Iranian state media and later cited by Israeli outlets.
He said the confrontation facing Iran goes beyond conventional military conflict, alleging that Western nations are seeking to bring the country “to its knees” through economic, political, cultural and security pressures.
According to the Iranian president, the current situation is more complex than the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq war, which he said involved clearly defined battle lines.
In contrast, Pezeshkian argued that Iran now faces sustained and dispersed challenges that extend beyond the battlefield.
“This conflict is far more complicated,” he said, adding that Iran is under constant pressure through sanctions, diplomatic isolation and security threats.
Despite these challenges, Pezeshkian claimed Iran’s military capability has been strengthened, particularly following the brief but intense air confrontation with Israel in June.
He warned that any future attacks on Iran would be met with a stronger and more decisive response from its armed forces.
The comments come amid heightened regional and international tensions and ahead of a planned meeting at Mar-a-Lago between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, a development closely watched in Tehran.
Hostilities escalated in June after Israeli strikes prompted a short air conflict between Israel and Iran.
Iranian authorities reported casualties from the strikes, including senior military figures and nuclear scientists, while Iranian missile attacks reportedly caused deaths and damage in Israel.
Tensions further intensified on June 22 when President Trump announced that US forces had carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
The US president said the operation was intended to cripple Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and eliminate what Washington described as a significant security threat.
Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, insisting that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, while Western governments and Israel maintain that Tehran poses a growing regional and global security risk.
The latest statements by Pezeshkian underscore Iran’s increasingly confrontational posture as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions remain strained