Iran's President: Tehran in a 'full-scale war'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Tehran is in a “full-scale war” and that the government continues to work to address the various difficulties facing the country.

“We are in a full-scale economic, military and security war,” Pezeshkian said in a televised speech cited by the state news agency IRNA.

He said the government was “ashamed” that various problems still persisted in the economy.

“(US President Donald) Trump easily says they will impose the most devastating or most horrific sanctions on Iran,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran “remains steadfast” and is working to serve the Iranian people amid what he called an “unbalanced war”.

“The enemy predicted that if Iran fell, Iran would become Venezuela. Not only did that not happen, but Iran has instead become a power that astonishes the world through its resistance, solidarity and unity,” the president asserted.

He also said Iran is working “with all its strength to avoid division, conflict and selfishness”.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding in June through the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar, ending hostilities that began in February, and agreed to continue negotiations towards a final agreement.

However, the talks subsequently stalled due to disputes over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding and navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas exports.