Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has made a stark declaration that his country is engaged in a total war with the United States, Israel, and Europe. This statement, made in an official interview on December 28, 2025, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between these nations, reflecting a heightened state of conflict that has been brewing for several months.
The roots of this conflict can be traced back to June 2025, when a 12-day air war erupted between Iran and Israel. This conflict was sparked by Israeli strikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian targets, with subsequent U.S. involvement. The escalation of tensions follows Iran's increased uranium enrichment in late May of 2025, which triggered a series of retaliatory measures from both Israel and the United States.
During the June 2025 conflict, nearly 1,100 people in Iran were killed, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, further intensifying the diplomatic and military pressure on Tehran. The situation has since deteriorated, with President Pezeshkian describing the diplomatic landscape as "complicated and difficult" and the pressures facing Iran as more complex than past conflicts, such as the Iran-Iraq War.
The Iranian President's declaration of a "full-scale" or "total war" comes as a clear indication of the severity of the current situation. The statement, published on the website of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, highlights the gravity of the conflict and the challenges facing the Iranian government. This escalation raises significant concerns about the potential for further military actions and the broader implications for regional stability and global security.
In the context of the broader geopolitical landscape, this declaration by Masoud Pezeshkian underscores the deepening rift between Iran and the Western powers. The conflict is not merely military but also diplomatic, with Iran feeling isolated and under intense pressure from the U.S., Israel, and Europe. The situation is likely to have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the immediate parties involved but also the broader Middle East region and the global community.
As the world watches these developments unfold, the international community will be closely monitoring the potential for escalation and the steps taken by all parties to de-escalate the situation. The declaration of a "total war" by Iran's President serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the current geopolitical climate and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.