Ahead of Nuclear Talks, Iranian President Declares ‘Total War’ With the West

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has escalated rhetoric against the West, declaring that Tehran is currently locked in what he described as a “total war” with the United States, Israel, and European powers. The remarks come at a sensitive moment, as international pressure mounts on Iran ahead of potential negotiations over its nuclear enrichment programme.

Pezeshkian’s comments were published on Saturday on the official website of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The timing is significant, arriving just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to the United States, where Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional influence, and recent military confrontations are expected to dominate talks with President Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, tensions flared publicly at the United Nations Security Council, where US and Iranian representatives exchanged sharp words over the prospects of reviving stalled nuclear talks. Tehran rejected Washington’s proposals as “unjust and illegal,” while the United States reiterated that it remains open to direct negotiations under what it calls credible conditions.

‘TOTAL WAR’ CLAIM BY IRANIAN PRESIDENT

“I believe that we are completely at war with Europe, Israel, and the United States. They are opposed to the stability of our nation and want to bring our country to its knees,” Pezeshkian said, according to the published interview.

The Iranian president argued that the pressure Iran is currently facing extends far beyond conventional military conflict, encompassing economic warfare, political isolation, cyber operations, and psychological pressure.

“This conflict is worse than the one that Iraq imposed on us,” Pezeshkian said, referring to the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988. “When you look closely, this confrontation is far more complex and far more dangerous.” The eight-year war with Iraq resulted in over a million casualties across both countries.

His remarks follow months of stalled diplomacy and heightened hostilities after a recent Israel-Iran confrontation that eventually drew the United States directly into the conflict.

WARNING AHEAD OF HIGH-STAKES US-ISRAEL TALKS

Pezeshkian’s warning comes just days before Netanyahu is expected to meet President Trump in Washington. Observers say Iran’s nuclear programme, Tehran’s role in regional conflicts, and recent military escalations are likely to be central to the agenda.

Iran has consistently denied allegations by the United States and its allies that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful and civilian purposes.

Tensions have risen further since France, Britain, and Germany backed the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran in September, citing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear activities. The move followed the activation of the “snapback” mechanism linked to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Tehran insists it remains committed to peaceful nuclear development and accuses Western nations of using sanctions as tools of economic and political coercion rather than diplomacy.

Since returning to office in January, President Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, a policy first introduced during his previous term. The renewed strategy includes tighter economic sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s oil exports and cutting off key revenue streams.

RECENT MILITARY ESCALATION HEIGHTENS TENSIONS

Relations between Iran and Israel deteriorated sharply following a 12-day military confrontation in June, bringing the longtime rivals closer to full-scale conflict. Iranian officials said the escalation was triggered by unprecedented Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities, as well as civilian areas.

According to Iranian authorities, nearly 1,000 people were killed in the attacks. In response, Iran launched missile barrages toward Israel, killing 28 people, Israeli officials said.

The conflict later widened when the United States joined the operation, launching Airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear sites. While the fighting eventually subsided, the episode has left regional tensions dangerously high, with diplomatic efforts struggling to keep pace with military realities.