Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran currently holds the upper hand against the United States, adding that it is now time to end the months-long war.

AFP and Reuters news agencies reported that President Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with doctors on the 21st local time, stating, "It is better to end the war now while we possess strength and dignity."

He went on to claim, "The world is acknowledging our victory and pointing out that the United States has violated regulations by attacking schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, making the U.S. hated around the world."

These remarks came after the United States signaled a massive economic pressure campaign against Iran.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. measures as "economic terrorism" and an "inhumane crime."

Iranian media reported that Ali Abdollahi, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, stated, "Our armed forces, fully prepared across land, sea, air, air defense, and cyberspace, will respond to new threats from the enemy with an overwhelming, punitive, and destructive countermeasure."

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and head of Iran's nuclear negotiation team, dismissed the U.S. threat of intensified economic sanctions as "unjust sanctions," arguing it indicates that the U.S. has concluded it cannot win militarily.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned "the strongest sanctions in history" targeting Iran during an interview with CNBC the previous day.

He is scheduled to hold a press conference on the 24th to unveil details of the economic pressure plan against Iran.

(Photo: Captured from IRIB Telegram channel, Yonhap News)