Iranian President Pezeshkian Declares 'Total War' Against US, Israel, and Europe Amid Rising Tensions
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran is engaged in a 'total war' with the United States, Israel, and Europe, asserting that Western powers aim to bring Iran to its knees. He emphasized that the current conflict is more complex than the Iran-Iraq war, with Iran facing pressures on livelihood, culture, politics, and security from multiple angles.
Pezeshkian also claimed that Iran's military is now stronger than it was during the Iran-Iraq war and warned that the country would deliver a decisive response if attacked. These remarks were published by Iranian state media ahead of a planned meeting at Mar-a-Lago between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. President Trump.
The backdrop to these statements includes a June conflict with Israel that caused about 1,100 Iranian deaths—including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists—and 28 Israeli deaths from Iranian missiles. On June 22, U.S. President Trump announced strikes on Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan to destroy Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel subsequently took effect on June 24. The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post have been cited as sources for quotes and context in the interview coverage.
