Tehran Blames Washington for Ceasefire Collapse
Iranian leadership assigns primary responsibility for the interim agreement failure to the United States while warning that military hostilities could resume within days.
By Petra Murphy ·
The fragile pause in the Middle East conflict appears to be dissolving as regional powers exchange sharp diplomatic criticism. President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran has placed the burden of the interim deal's failure squarely on the shoulders of the United States, even as he called for both nations to return to the negotiating table to finalize the agreement.
These remarks were broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday. The statement arrives at a critical juncture where fears of renewed combat are intensifying. Such anxiety follows comments made by US President Donald Trump on Friday, in which he suggested he might launch another operation using the codename Epic Fury. This name designates the joint American and Israeli military campaign against Iran that commenced on February 28. Tehran is now urging a fresh attempt at diplomacy to prevent a return to active warfare.
Military officials in Iran have issued stern warnings regarding the potential for new strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps indicated that even limited attacks would provoke a response several times greater in scale. General Ali Abdollahi, the head of the Iranian armed forces, stated on Saturday that US forces would not be permitted into the Gulf under any circumstances. He remarked that Trump could only dream of seeing such a presence and would take that dream to his grave.
Political pressures are mounting on both sides as they weigh their options. While Trump hints at further military action, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his goal of overthrowing the current Iranian government. Both leaders are navigating significant electoral timelines. Israeli voters are scheduled to select their next government on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the US Republican Party faces midterm elections on November 3, where Democrats could potentially seize control of both the House and the Senate. A loss of power in Congress would represent a substantial setback for the President, who has over two years remaining in his final term.
The Iranian government has maintained a firm stance on its defensive posture. Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated on Saturday that Tehran would not wait for permission to defend itself. She emphasized that while the nation seeks peace, it will respond to any aggression with severe consequences. In a written memo, she asserted that Iran does not fear dialogue but also does not hesitate to defend the country, advising those who hope to destroy Iran to correct their calculations.
Behind the scenes, senior Iranian officials are coordinating their strategy. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday. The two discussed tackling corruption and securing compensation for citizens affected by the war. Khamenei assumed the supreme leadership role in early March after his father was assassinated during the initial strikes of the conflict. He has remained out of public view since taking office. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who serves as the chief negotiator, was reported to have met with Khamenei earlier in the week.
The situation remains fluid as both sides prepare for potential negotiations or renewed conflict. The coming days will likely reveal whether the diplomatic channels remain open or if the military option gains traction once again.
