Iranian President Warns of "Full War" with U.S., Israel, and Europe

December 28, 2025 - Tehran, Iran - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that his country is in a "full-fledged war" with the United States, Israel, and Europe, escalating tensions in a region already reeling from a summer of military conflict and renewed sanctions. In a statement published Saturday on the official website of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian described the current geopolitical pressure campaign as more dangerous than the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s - a conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

"In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel and Europe. They do not want our country to stand on its feet," Pezeshkian said. "This war is worse than Iraq's war against us. It is far more complex and difficult than that war".

The remarks come just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities are expected to dominate the agenda. Pezeshkian warned that any renewed military action would be met with a "more decisive response," citing improvements in Iran's military equipment and manpower since the June conflict.

Flashpoint: The June 2025 War

The current crisis traces back to a 12-day war in June, when Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including civilian areas. Iranian authorities reported over 1,000 casualties, including senior commanders and scientists. Iran retaliated with missile barrages that killed 28 people in Israel. Days later, U.S. forces joined the operation, bombing three nuclear facilities - Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan - effectively halting nuclear negotiations that had resumed in April.

The fighting ended with a U.S.-mediated ceasefire on June 24, but diplomatic fallout has continued. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom reimposed United Nations sanctions on Iran in September, citing violations of nuclear agreements. President Trump, who returned to office in January, has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign, targeting Iran's oil exports and financial systems.

Strategic Implications

Pezeshkian's warning signals a shift from rhetorical defiance to strategic framing. By calling the situation a "full-scale war," he positions Iran not just as a target of military aggression, but as a nation under siege - economically, politically, and culturally. He accused Western powers of trying to destabilize Iran through sanctions, media campaigns, and internal unrest.

"They are besieging us from every aspect - livelihood, culture, politics, and security - while raising society's expectations," Pezeshkian said.

Iran's leadership has emphasized unity and resistance, urging citizens to reject what it calls "surrender demands" embedded in Western sanctions. Analysts warn that further escalation could deepen Iran's economic crisis, already marked by inflation, limited oil exports, and rising public frustration.

What Comes Next?

The upcoming Trump-Netanyahu meeting is expected to shape the next phase of Western strategy. Israeli officials are reportedly pushing for expanded military action focused on Iran's missile program. Pezeshkian's comments may be aimed at deterring such moves by signaling readiness and resolve.

For Alabama observers - especially those tracking defense policy, Middle East diplomacy, and energy markets - the stakes are high. Any renewed conflict could disrupt global oil flows, trigger cyber retaliation, and complicate U.S. military posture in the region. With Iran's leadership framing the moment as existential, and Western powers doubling down on containment, the risk of miscalculation is growing.