Iran declares 'comprehensive war' with US, Israel, and Europe

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that the Islamic Republic is engaged in what he termed a "comprehensive war" with the United States, Israel, and several European nations. In a significant rhetorical escalation, Pezeshkian characterized this conflict as surpassing the danger and complexity of the brutal eight-year war Iran fought against Iraq in the 1980s.

A Different Kind of Conflict

The president's comments were published in an interview on the official website of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Pezeshkian drew a stark contrast between the conventional warfare of the past and the current situation. "The situation during the war with Iraq was clear: they fired missiles and we knew where to strike," he stated. He elaborated that today, adversaries "surround us from all sides, apply pressure on us, obstruct our trade, and raise public expectations inside society in various fields," framing the struggle as multidimensional.

Accusations of Systemic Pressure

Pezeshkian directly accused the United States, Israel, and some European countries of actively supporting efforts to cause Iran's collapse. This assertion reflects Tehran's long-standing narrative of facing a coordinated campaign of economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and covert operations aimed at destabilizing its government. The concept of a "comprehensive war" suggests an Iranian perspective that views diplomatic, economic, and informational pressure as acts of warfare equivalent to military confrontation.

Context of Recent Military Strikes

The president's declaration follows a period of heightened military tensions. The interview referenced a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, during which, according to the report, U.S. forces struck three major Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—using bunker-buster bombs. These alleged strikes were said to have occurred more than a week after Israel launched a surprise attack targeting Iranian military commanders, scientists, and nuclear sites. This context underscores the tangible military dimensions that underpin Tehran's rhetoric of an all-encompassing conflict.