Pezeshkian faults Washington for truce collapse

The interim agreement to end the war between Iran and the United States has unraveled.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian placed the blame squarely on Washington for the failure.

He spoke in comments broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday, October 17. He called on both sides to return to the deal and conclude it. This comes as tensions rise over the possibility of renewed military action. US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he may launch another operation. He used the codename Epic Fury, which refers to the conflict that began on February 28.

Military leaders in Tehran issued firm warnings about US presence in the region. Ali Abdollahi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, stated that the US military would not be allowed in the Gulf under any circumstances. He told Trump he could only dream of seeing US forces enter the area. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps added that even limited strikes would trigger a response several times greater. Fars News Agency reported these comments from the IRGC.

Political timing adds pressure to the situation in both countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he remains committed to overthrowing the Iranian government. Israelis go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next government. In the United States, Trump’s Republican Party faces midterm elections on November 3. Democrats could win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such a result would be a major blow to Trump, who has more than two years left in his final term.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani clarified Tehran’s stance on defense and diplomacy. She wrote in a memo that Iran does not wait for permission to defend itself. She said the country seeks peace but will respond to any aggression with severe consequences. Mohajerani added that those who believe they can destroy Iran must correct their calculations. This statement followed a meeting between judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The pair discussed tackling corruption and pursuing compensation for those affected by the war. Khamenei, who replaced his assassinated father in early March, has not been seen in public since taking office. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also met with Khamenei earlier this week.