Pezeshkian: Iran is facing an all-out war from America, Israel, and Europe
In strongly worded remarks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country is currently engaged in what he described as a "total war" waged by the United States, European countries, and Israel against Tehran. These statements came six months after a series of military strikes targeted Iranian territory, signaling a dangerous escalation in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
Unprecedented military escalation
Speaking to the website of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian said, “In my opinion, we are in a full-scale war against the United States, Israel, and Europe. They don’t want our country to stand.” These remarks come amid escalating tensions, following reports that on June 13, Israel launched surprise attacks targeting military and nuclear sites, as well as civilian areas, sparking a 12-day conflict. According to Iranian authorities, these clashes resulted in over a thousand deaths, while the United States later joined the conflict by targeting three Iranian nuclear sites.
Background of the conflict and the nuclear issue
This current escalation cannot be separated from the complex historical context of relations between Tehran and the West. Since Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018, the policy of “maximum pressure” has intensified, prompting Iran to increase its uranium enrichment levels. Western powers accuse Tehran of relentlessly pursuing nuclear weapons, an accusation Iran consistently denies, asserting the peaceful nature of its program and citing religious edicts that prohibit weapons of mass destruction.
Return of UN sanctions
On the diplomatic front, the issue witnessed a dramatic development thanks to an initiative by the European troika (France, Britain, and Germany). On September 28, the United Nations reinstated its stringent sanctions against Iran after multiple rounds of negotiations failed to reach a settlement that would revive the nuclear agreement and guarantee the peaceful nature of the Iranian program. This European move reflects a unified stance across the Atlantic in confronting Iranian ambitions.
Potential regional and international repercussions
This declaration of “all-out war” carries grave implications for the stability of the region and the world. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, the vital artery of global oil supplies, and any large-scale escalation could lead to disruptions in energy markets and a dramatic surge in oil prices. Furthermore, the direct involvement of major international powers in the conflict could broaden the scope of the fighting to include other fronts in the region, presenting the international community with serious security and economic challenges that necessitate urgent diplomatic action to contain the situation.
