Pezeshkian faults Washington for collapsed Iran ceasefire as weekend strikes loom

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian placed the blame for the collapse of the interim war agreement squarely on the United States on Saturday. Speaking in remarks aired by Iranian Press TV, he argued that Washington was responsible for the unraveling of the deal designed to end the conflict with the US and Israel. Despite the failure, Pezeshkian stated that both nations should return to the table to finalize the agreement.

The conflict began on February 28 with opening strikes that resulted in the assassination of the previous Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei took over the role in early March and has not appeared in public since. The current interim deal sought to pause the fighting, but tensions have risen sharply in recent days. US President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that he might launch another operation, referring to the conflict by its codename, Epic Fury. He indicated that military action could resume as soon as this weekend.

Iranian military leaders have responded with strong warnings. Ali Abdollahi, the chief of staff for the Iranian armed forces, declared on Saturday that US forces would not be permitted in the Gulf under any circumstances. He told Trump that he could only dream of seeing American troops enter the region, adding that he would take that dream to the grave. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a warning through the Fars News Agency, stating that even limited strikes would provoke a response several times greater.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, wrote in a memo that Tehran would not wait for permission to defend itself. She asserted that Iran seeks peace but will respond to aggression with severe consequences. Mohajerani emphasized that the country does not flee from dialogue but also does not hesitate in defense. She warned those who believe they can destroy Iran to correct their calculations.

The political stakes are high for both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to overthrowing the Iranian government ahead of elections scheduled for Tuesday. In the United States, Trump’s Republican Party faces midterm elections on November 3. Democrats could gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, which would deal a major blow to the president’s remaining term.

Domestic discussions in Tehran focused on recovery and governance. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday. They discussed tackling corruption and pursuing compensation for citizens affected by the war. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who serves as the chief negotiator, was reported to have met with Khamenei earlier in the week.

The diplomatic and military postures remain rigid as the weekend approaches. Pezeshkian’s call for a new attempt at the deal stands in contrast to the aggressive rhetoric from the IRGC. Trump’s potential for further strikes hangs over the region, while both leaders prepare for voters who will shape their political futures in the coming weeks.