Iranian President Pezeshkian Declares State of Total War, Adopting Hardline Stance

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently stated publicly that Iran is currently in a state of "total war." This declaration has not only shocked the international community but also sent shockwaves through the increasingly tense Middle East. While Pezeshkian did not explicitly define the specific boundaries or opposing factions of this war, observers widely interpret the statement as a reflection of Iran’s decision to elevate its national security defense to the highest alert level, amidst mounting military pressure from Israel, ongoing regional proxy conflicts, and persistent international economic sanctions.

Under the Iranian constitutional framework, although the president serves as the head of the executive branch, his power remains strictly constrained by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The president is responsible for day-to-day administrative affairs, cabinet appointments, and foreign policy; however, all major national policies, including military operations and diplomatic strategy, must adhere to the directives of the Supreme Leader. Consequently, Pezeshkian’s characterization of a "total war" is highly likely a political signal cleared by Iran’s top leadership, intended to project a defiant stance to both domestic and international audiences, signaling that Iran will defend its sovereignty and is prepared for direct confrontation with hostile forces.

The strategic dilemma facing Iran is long-standing. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has operated under enduring pressure from Western sanctions while exerting regional influence by supporting the "Axis of Resistance," which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas. Recently, the expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict has brought the long-standing shadow war between Israel and Iran into the open. Repeated reciprocal missile and drone strikes have pushed the regional situation to the brink of instability. Pezeshkian’s emphasis on "total war" at this juncture reflects the Iranian government's anxiety regarding its defensive systems' vulnerability to Israel's precision-strike capabilities, as well as an attempt to consolidate domestic political unity by mobilizing national resolve.

However, the nature of this "total war" remains complex. Iran's current defensive focus encompasses not only conventional military conflict but also the struggle against severe international economic isolation and potential internal social instability. As the leader of the executive branch, the president must navigate the dual challenge of maintaining Iran’s strategic advantages in regional proxy conflicts while addressing a domestic economy weakened by long-term sanctions. This "internal and external pressure" suggests that Pezeshkian's remarks serve as a political statement to domestic conservatives and military hardliners, intended to underscore the administration’s efficacy in the face of a national security crisis, while simultaneously warning the international community that further military provocations will be met with more radical responses.

For Taiwan, although the island is geographically distant from Iran and lacks direct military alliances or high-level economic interdependence, this event is vital for understanding current international geopolitics. As a major global energy exporter, Iran’s involvement in proxy wars directly impacts the security of critical maritime routes, including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Should the "total war" described by Iran escalate into a large-scale regional conflict, global energy prices would inevitably fluctuate sharply, impacting Taiwan’s energy-dependent economy. Furthermore, the growing alignment between Iran, China, and Russia serves as a reminder that Taiwan must remain vigilant regarding the mutual support mechanisms within "authoritarian axes." Observing how these regional conflicts could influence U.S. military deployment and strategic focus in the Indo-Pacific provides significant value for Taiwan in evaluating its own security environment amidst a volatile international landscape.