Iranian Leader Declares Full-Scale Conflict With America Amid Rising Tensions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Monday that his country is engaged in a “full-scale war” with the United States, according to state media reports from a meeting with the Supreme Judicial Council.

Pezeshkian described the conflict as extending “well beyond missile strikes,” arguing that “the economy and public livelihood [is] the most important battlefront.” He claimed enemies had concluded military force alone could not compel submission and were now targeting daily life and economic conditions.

The remarks came against a backdrop of renewed U.S. military activity after the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding that had followed an April ceasefire. Iranian forces had resumed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting American strikes on military assets.

Pezeshkian called for unity across government branches to manage the crisis, acknowledging severe problems with poverty, unemployment, and living standards. He also stressed that ultimate decision-making authority rests with the “Leader of the Islamic Revolution,” currently Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained largely absent from public view since succeeding his father.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders echoed the hard line. Brigadier General Mohammad Karami said forces were “continuously reorganizing and strengthening their defensive capabilities” and that the Iranian people and armed forces were “fully prepared to respond to any aggression.”

At the same time, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continued diplomatic outreach, holding talks with ambassadors in European capitals and emphasizing “active consultations” to safeguard national interests.

The dual messaging—military escalation rhetoric paired with claims of ongoing mediation efforts—underscored the uncertain path forward as both sides continued operations in the region.