Iran-US Truce Collapse: Tehran Blames Washington as War Looms

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of dismantling the interim agreement designed to end the conflict with Washington and Israel. Speaking in remarks broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday, Pezeshkian stated that both nations should return to the agreement and conclude it. His comments arrived as fears grew that military operations could restart as early as this weekend. The tension follows President Donald Trump’s statement on Friday that he might execute another round of operations using the codename Epic Fury, the name assigned to the US-Israeli campaign that began on February 28.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning that even limited attacks would provoke a response several times greater. This assessment was reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency. Ali Abdollahi, the chief of staff for the Iranian Armed Forces, added on Saturday that US military forces would not be permitted in the Gulf under any circumstances. He told Trump he could only dream of seeing American troops in the region and that he would take that dream to the grave.

Political pressure is mounting on both leaders ahead of upcoming elections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to overthrowing the Iranian government. Israeli voters will choose their next government on 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. Such an outcome would deal a major blow to Trump, who has more than two years remaining in his final term.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the Iranian government spokesperson, said on Saturday that Tehran would not wait for permission to defend itself. She wrote in a memo that the country seeks peace but will respond to aggression with severe consequences. Mohajerani stated that Iran does not flee from dialogue but does not hesitate in defending the country. She added that those hoping to destroy Iran must correct their calculations.

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the chief of the Iranian judiciary, met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The two discussed corruption and compensation for Iranians affected by the war. Khamenei assumed the position in early March after his father was assassinated during the opening strikes on February 28. He has not appeared in public since taking office. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker and chief negotiator, met with Khamenei earlier this week.