Iran Declares Full‑Scale War with United States, Israel, Europe Ahead of Netanyahu‑Trump Meeting
Updated (3 articles)
Iranian President Announces Full‑Scale War on Dec 28, 2025 President Masoud Pezeshkian told the Supreme Leader’s website that Iran is at war with the United States, Israel and European powers, a statement released on 28 December 2025 [1][2][3]. He made the claim two days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, indicating Tehran expects the issue to dominate the talks [1][2]. The interview was published on Ayatollah Khamenei’s official portal, giving the declaration state‑endorsed authority [2][3].
War Characterized as More Complex Than 1980‑88 Iran‑Iraq Conflict Pezeshkian argued the present confrontation is “more complicated and more difficult” than the eight‑year Iran‑Iraq war that caused over one million casualties on each side [1][2][3]. He framed Western actions as a coordinated effort to destabilize Iran, contrasting the multilateral pressure of the United States, Israel and Europe with the bilateral nature of the earlier war [1][2]. This comparison underscores Tehran’s narrative of an escalated, existential struggle.
June 2025 Twelve‑Day Air Campaign Triggered Tit‑for‑Tat Escalation In June, U.S. and Israeli forces launched a 12‑day air offensive, deploying more than 125 aircraft, Tomahawk missiles and the GBU‑57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator—the first known combat use of the bomb [1][3]. The strikes killed nearly 1,100 Iranians, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists [2][3]. Iran retaliated with missile barrages that killed 28 Israelis and later fired at Qatar’s Al‑Udeid air base without causing injuries [1][3].
Sanctions and Economic Pressure Frame Iran’s War Narrative Tehran cited decades‑long U.S. and European sanctions linked to its nuclear program, which have crippled oil exports and financial transactions, as part of the broader conflict [1][2]. Pezeshkian warned that these measures have hampered the economy and heightened public expectations, while asserting that Iran’s military is now stronger than during the brief June clash [1][2]. Newsweek noted that the outlet sought a White House comment, highlighting ongoing diplomatic messaging [1].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Iran says it is in a full-scale war with the US, ready for decisive response: Highlights Pezeshkian’s declaration, compares the war to the Iran‑Iraq conflict, details June air strikes, mentions the GBU‑57 bomb, Iran’s Al‑Udeid attack, sanctions context, and notes a pending White House comment .
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The Hindu: Iran's president says country is in full-scale war with West: Emphasizes the interview’s publication on Khamenei’s site, casualty figures from June strikes, the missile retaliation, and the timing before the Netanyahu‑Trump meeting .
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AP: Iran's president says the country is in a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel and Europe ahead of Netanyahu‑Trump talks: Focuses on the war declaration, its comparison to the 1980‑88 war, the proximity to the upcoming talks, and the June 12‑day campaign’s death tolls .
Timeline
June 2025 – The United States and Israel conduct a 12‑day air campaign, deploying more than 125 aircraft, Tomahawk missiles and the first combat use of the GBU‑57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb; the strikes kill nearly 1,100 Iranians, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, and target sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program [1].
June 2025 – Iran retaliates with a missile barrage that kills 28 people in Israel and launches an attack on the U.S. Al‑Udeid air base in Qatar, causing no injuries, thereby expanding the conflict beyond the immediate theater [1].
2025 (ongoing) – The United States and European countries maintain extensive sanctions on Iran’s oil and financial sectors tied to its nuclear program, deepening economic pressure and framing the broader geopolitical confrontation [1].
Dec 27, 2025 – President Masoud Pezeshkian declares that Iran is in a full‑scale war with the United States, Israel and Europe, saying the war is “more complicated and more difficult” than the 1980‑88 Iran‑Iraq war and accusing the West of seeking Tehran’s destabilization [2][3].
Dec 27, 2025 – Pezeshkian makes the statement two days before the scheduled meeting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling that Iran will dominate the agenda of the high‑level talks [2][3].
Dec 28, 2025 – In a follow‑up interview on the Supreme Leader’s website, Pezeshkian repeats the full‑scale war claim and asserts that Tehran’s military is now “far stronger than during the brief war with Israel earlier this year,” underscoring an escalation in Tehran’s war footing [1][3].
Dec 28, 2025 – Media reports note that Trump and Netanyahu will meet at Mar‑a‑Lago, Florida, with Iran expected to be a central topic, highlighting the diplomatic focus on the escalating conflict [1].
Late Dec 2025 (expected) – The Netanyahu‑Trump summit is slated for the end of December, where the leaders are anticipated to discuss the Iran‑U.S. war, potential de‑escalation measures, and broader regional security [2][3].