Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview published on Shabbos that Iran is locked in what he described as a comprehensive confrontation with the United States, Israel, and Europe, portraying the struggle as more severe than past conflicts.
“In my opinion, we are at total war with the United States, Israel and Europe. They want to bring our country to its knees,” Pezeshkian said in remarks to Iranian state media.
Reflecting on past history, Pezeshkian argued that the current situation is even more complex than the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, saying that the nature of today’s confrontation is far less defined.
“During the war with Iraq, the situation was clear: they fired missiles, and we knew exactly where we were responding. But now, we are being surrounded from every angle,” he said.
Despite that assessment, the Iranian president insisted that Iran emerged militarily stronger following the June conflict with Israel, maintaining that the country’s armed forces are now better prepared for any future confrontation.
“Our beloved military forces are doing their jobs with strength and now, in terms of equipment and manpower, despite all the problems we have, they are stronger than when they attacked. So if they want to attack, they will naturally face a more decisive response,” he said.
Pezeshkian further claimed that the fighting did not weaken Iran internally, asserting instead that national cohesion improved and that government services continued to function throughout the war.
He urged the Iranian public to maintain unity and refrain from internal disputes, warning that Iran’s enemies are actively seeking to exploit domestic divisions.
The 12-day war between Israel and Iran erupted in June after a surprise Israeli strike on strategic Iranian targets. Israel said its campaign against senior military figures, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment facilities, and the ballistic missile program was aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from carrying out its stated goal of destroying the Jewish state.
Iranian reports said that Pezeshkian himself narrowly escaped death during the fighting and sustained a leg injury in an Israeli strike.
Turning to domestic challenges, Pezeshkian acknowledged that Iran is under intense economic pressure stemming from sanctions, declining oil revenues, and the effects of war, while emphasizing that safeguarding citizens’ livelihoods remains his government’s top priority.
He said his administration has drafted a 20-point economic plan designed to stabilize the prices of basic goods and provide support for lower-income families, including expanded use of vouchers.
Pezeshkian also stressed the need for sharp reductions in government spending, the adoption of an austere budget, and major efficiency improvements. He highlighted curbing waste in water, electricity, and fuel usage, noting that he personally uses a desk lamp rather than lighting an entire room to save electricity.
According to The New York Times, Pezeshkian has described existing government spending habits as “what crazy people do.”
In separate remarks delivered in speeches and in discussions with university students, Pezeshkian expressed frustration over his limited ability to repair Iran’s struggling economy.
“If someone can do something, by all means go for it,” he told students, according to The New York Times. “I can’t do anything; don’t curse me.”
“Why should I solve [the economic problems]?” he reportedly said to provincial governors and local officials. “You shouldn’t think that the president can make miracles happen.”
Those comments drew criticism from Iranian politicians and media outlets.
Asked about the controversy, Pezeshkian said on Shabbos: “Of course, I have said many times that I cannot do it, but that we can. The country’s problems are not something I can solve alone… but we will overcome these problems.”
{Matzav.com}
