Iran in ‘full-scale war,' says President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Tehran is in "a full-scale war," stating that the government is seeking to overcome difficulties.

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

The government is “ashamed” that there are problems in the economy, he added.

"(US President Donald) Trump easily says that they will impose the most crushing or the most terrible sanctions on Iran,” Pezeshkian stated, adding that Tehran is "standing firm" and striving to serve the Iranian people amid what he called an “unequal war.”

“The enemy had assessed that if Iran falls, it will become Venezuela. Not only did it not happen, but it became a power that amazed the world with its resistance, solidarity and cohesion," the president asserted.

Tehran is working "with all our might to avoid division, conflicts and egos," he also said.

Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation, ending hostilities that began in February, and agreed to pursue negotiations toward a final agreement.

Talks have since stalled amid disputes over implementation of the memorandum and arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas exports.