Iran’s President Declares ‘Total War’ on US, Israel and Europe as Tehran Rebuilds Nuclear Program and Tightens Ties With Hamas

Iran’s president publicly declared Saturday that the Islamic Republic is engaged in a “total war” against the United States, Israel and Europe, as Tehran accelerates efforts to restore its nuclear capabilities and deepen its relationship with Hamas terrorists.

Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks in an interview published by Iranian state media, according to Barron’s.

“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.

He compared the current confrontation to Iran’s 1980–1988 war with Iraq, arguing that today’s conflict is even more severe. “This war is worse than the one launched against us by Iraq. On closer inspection, it is far more complex and difficult,” he said.

The comments come as Iran faces renewed United Nations sanctions imposed by France, Britain and Germany over the regime’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons.

They also follow the 12-day war with Israel in June, during which Israel, with the backing of powerful US airstrikes, destroyed significant portions of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

As tensions continue to rise, a Tehran-backed figure is expected to take on a senior leadership role within Hamas. Khalil al-Hayya, a Palestinian politician viewed as closely aligned with Iran, is reportedly poised to defeat longtime Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in a vote for head of the terror group’s political bureau, according to sources cited by Saudi outlet Asharq.

Al-Hayya is expected to adopt a sharply confrontational stance toward Israel at a time when a fragile Gaza ceasefire framework remains unresolved. The leadership vote is being conducted by Hamas’s 50-member Shura council and had been delayed earlier this year after the terror group “ruled out” holding the election until the war fully ends, sources told Asharq.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to travel to Mar-a-Lago on Monday, where he is expected to urge President Donald Trump to approve a new round of strikes against Iran.

Israeli officials say Iran is actively repairing its air defense systems and rebuilding its ballistic missile program, both of which were heavily damaged during the June conflict, according to an NBC report.

The Florida meeting is also seen as critical to ongoing Gaza negotiations. Senior White House aides believe Netanyahu is undermining the peace framework, Axios reported.

“It’s felt for some time like the Israelis have buyer’s remorse,” an anonymous White House official told the outlet. “Implementing the Gaza deal is hard enough, but the Israelis sometimes do things that make it even harder.”

According to Axios, Netanyahu remains skeptical of proposals to fully demilitarize Gaza. The upcoming meeting will mark his fifth visit with Trump since the start of the president’s second term.