Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country faces a “total war” from the United States, Israel, and Europe, describing the pressures as more complex than past conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War. The remarks, made in an interview published by Iranian state media on December 28, 2025, come as Tehran continues to bolster ties with Hamas while navigating stalled nuclear talks and recent military setbacks.

Pezeshkian asserted, “In my opinion, we are at total war with the United States, Israel and Europe… They don’t want our country to remain stable… They want to bring our country to its knees.”

He framed these pressures as multifaceted, encompassing sanctions, strikes, and diplomatic isolation, surpassing the intensity of the 1980s Iran-Iraq War. The comments appeared ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, heightening regional stakes.

Recent military escalationsThe rhetoric follows a 12-day direct conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025, triggered by Israeli strikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites. Iran reported over 1,000 casualties from those attacks, retaliating with missile barrages that killed 28 in Israel.

The US later conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Pezeshkian acknowledged Israel’s missile superiority in that clash but emphasized Iran’s enhanced military readiness for decisive responses.

Ties with Hamas Iran remains closely aligned with Hamas, reflecting its long-established role as a key supporter of the group. Recent reporting has highlighted speculation about Tehran’s growing influence within Hamas’s leadership circles, including discussion of senior figure Khalil al-Hayya as a potential political bureau leader, though no formal confirmation exists.

The development comes as Iran continues to emphasize its so-called ‘Axis of Resistance,’ a network of allied groups across the Middle East, amid ongoing regional strain, fragile ceasefire efforts in Gaza and discussions on relocating Hamas leaders to sympathetic nations like Tunisia, as reported by Iranian media.The statements signal Tehran’s defiance amid stalled nuclear negotiations and renewed US-Israeli coordination under President Trump.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has echoed similar warnings against US intervention, rejecting surrender calls and promising “irreparable damage” to aggressors. As 2025 ends, these developments complicate global efforts for de-escalation, with risks of proxy flare-ups tied to Ukraine peace talks and Middle East dynamics.

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