TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on December 29, 2025, that Iran is engaged in a full-scale war with the United States, Israel, and European nations. He characterized this conflict as more severe than the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988 and resulted in over one million casualties. Pezeshkian's remarks were made public on the website of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and come just before a scheduled meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Iran is expected to be a key topic.

Pezeshkian described the current situation as a multifaceted siege, asserting that the West is creating challenges for Iran across economic, cultural, political, and security domains. He noted that while Western powers impose restrictions on Iran's trade and economic activities, societal expectations within Iran continue to rise, complicating the internal situation.

The ongoing tensions have been exacerbated by recent military actions, including a U.S. and Israeli air campaign that reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,100 Iranians, including military leaders and nuclear scientists, during a 12-day period in June. In retaliation, Iran conducted missile strikes that led to 28 fatalities in Israel.

Ayatollah Khamenei also commented on the resilience of Iran against what he termed a heavy assault by the U.S. military, emphasizing the role of Iranian youth in overcoming these challenges. This context underscores the humanitarian and social implications of the escalating military conflict and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play.