Iran says it is in ‘full-scale war’ with US, Israel ahead of Trump–Netanyahu talks

Iran says it is in ‘full-scale war’ with US, Israel ahead of Trump–Netanyahu talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday said the country was facing what he described as a “full-scale war” involving the United States, Israel, and European powers, remarks that came ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expected meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday.

Pezeshkian said Iran’s military capabilities had grown significantly, arguing that Western pressure on Tehran was “more complicated and more difficult” than the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, which claimed more than a million lives on both sides.

“We are in a full-scale war with the US, Israel, and Europe; they don't want our country to remain stable,” Pezeshkian said, according to the Associated Press. Warning of retaliation, he added: “If the enemy chooses confrontation, they will naturally face a more decisive response.”

Iranian leaders have hardened their stance following US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June that reportedly killed around 1,100 people. While Trump has said his objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful energy purposes.

Pezeshkian said Iran was under pressure on multiple fronts, citing economic sanctions, trade restrictions, and social challenges. “Here, they are besieging us from every aspect, they are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems in terms of livelihood, culturally, politically, and security, while raising society's expectations,” he said.

Despite the pressure, Pezeshkian said the country had remained resilient. “All enemy calculations were that an attack would cause the country to descend into turmoil; but the people defended their Iran, their country, their religion, their culture, and their Leader,” he was quoted as saying by The National News.

The comments come amid renewed tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, with recent disagreements at the UN Security Council over the terms for restarting negotiations. Washington has signalled openness to direct talks, but Tehran has rejected the conditions on offer.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, imposing fresh sanctions aimed at curbing oil exports and weakening the Iranian economy.

Meanwhile, Trump is expected to discuss regional security issues, including Iran, Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, when he meets Netanyahu. The Israeli leader has said the talks will also cover the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and broader efforts by Washington to shape post-war governance and security arrangements in the region.