World

Iran claims full-scale war with west ahead of Netanyahu-Trump meeting

President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that his country is engaged in a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel, and Europe, describing the conflict as even more complex than the 1980s Iran-Iraq war

Updated 7 months ago · Published on 28 Dec 2025 11:26AM

Iran claims full-scale war with west ahead of Netanyahu-Trump meeting
Masoud’s remarks come just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump - December 28, 2025

IRAN has officially declared that it is embroiled in a full-scale confrontation with the United States, Israel, and European nations, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning that the West is determined to undermine Iran’s stability.

Speaking in an interview published on the website of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, Pezeshkian stated, “We are in a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel and Europe; they don’t want our country to remain stable.”

AP reported on Sunday that he emphasised that the current conflict is “more complicated and more difficult” than the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to 1988, a devastating conflict that resulted in over one million casualties on both sides.

Pezeshkian’s comments underscore Tehran’s perception of an intensified geopolitical struggle that extends beyond conventional warfare to political, economic, and strategic fronts.

The remarks come just two days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where Iran is expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

The meeting is likely to focus on regional security, military activity, and nuclear concerns.

Earlier in the year, Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian targets during a 12-day air campaign in June resulted in nearly 1,100 Iranian casualties, including senior military officers and nuclear scientists.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile barrages against Israel, killing 28 civilians and military personnel.

Pezeshkian’s statements reflect the heightened tension in the Middle East, with Iran framing the confrontation as a multifaceted struggle against a coalition of Western and Israeli forces. Analysts suggest that these comments signal Tehran’s continued hardline stance in the face of escalating diplomatic and military pressures. - December 28, 2025

Spotlight

Malaysia

RM245m Penang Hill cable car project 32 per cent complete - CM

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Six locals charged over alleged kidnapping of Singaporean couple in Johor

Malaysia

PM: No political, racial or religious shield for those found guilty in TH, Felda probes

Malaysia

Singapore security guard jailed 14 days, fined RM7,000 for insulting Islam

Health

Dengue cases soar 56% to 58,079 as nation records 55 deaths

Malaysia

NGOs urge BERSAMA to put Indian community agenda on political radar

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Health

MOH warns seniors against unproven hydrogen inhalers

Malaysia

Former Tabung Haji CEO remanded seven days as MACC RCI probe deepens

Malaysia

21 held in KLIA-Nilai crackdown on alleged online love scam syndicate

You may be interested

World

Singapore caregiver jailed nearly 10 years, caned eight strokes for torturing schoolchildren

World

China-Indonesia talks put South China Sea, defence and investment in focus

World

Former Singapore president now thinks twice about patting children after Roxy Square incident

World

China expands Philippine sea presence as Japan-Philippines maritime ties deepen

World

US threatens ‘toughest sanctions in history’ on Iran

World

US debt surges past US$40 trillion as Trump presses for lower interest rates

World

Trump threatens ‘tremendous’ economic consequences for countries giving Iran a lifeline

World

Sydney Airport faces fourth air traffic control incident in a month