Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the United States, Israel, and Europe are engaged in a "full-fledged war" against Iran, according to an interview published Saturday on the official website of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pezeshkian asserted that these nations are actively working to destabilize Iran. "In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel and Europe. They do not want our country to stand on its feet," he said.

The president's remarks precede a scheduled meeting on Monday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. Tensions in the region have been elevated since joint Israeli and U.S. military strikes targeted Iranian assets six months prior. Furthermore, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom reimposed United Nations sanctions on Iran in September, citing concerns over its nuclear program. These sanctions, initially lifted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), were reinstated after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported breaches of the agreement.

The JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was an agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States – plus Germany) and the European Union. It placed restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under the Trump administration, reimposing sanctions and leading to a gradual rollback of Iran's commitments to the deal.

The Iranian government views the reimposition of sanctions as an act of economic warfare, severely impacting its economy and limiting its ability to engage in international trade. The country's currency has plummeted to new lows, exacerbating economic hardship for ordinary Iranians. Domestically, Pezeshkian's government faces increasing pressure to address these economic challenges.

Analysts suggest that Pezeshkian's strong rhetoric may be aimed at galvanizing domestic support and signaling resolve in the face of external pressures. It also serves as a message to the international community, particularly ahead of the Netanyahu-Trump meeting, highlighting Iran's perception of being under siege. The situation remains volatile, with potential for further escalation depending on diplomatic efforts and military posturing in the region. The international community is closely watching for any developments that could further destabilize the already tense geopolitical landscape.