Iran assigns blame to US as ceasefire talks collapse

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has placed the responsibility for the collapse of the interim peace agreement squarely on the shoulders of the United States. Speaking in an interview broadcast by Press TV on Saturday, the president argued that Washington was responsible for the unraveling of the deal designed to end the conflict with the US and Israel. Despite assigning this blame, Pezeshkian indicated a willingness to re-engage, stating that both nations should return to the negotiating table to finalize the agreement. His comments arrived at a critical juncture, as military analysts and officials expressed concern that hostilities could restart as early as this weekend.

The financial and geopolitical stakes are rising sharply following remarks by US President Donald Trump. On Friday, Trump suggested that he might launch another military operation, referring to it as another little Epic Fury. This phrase references the codename used for the US and Israeli war against Iran that commenced on February 28. The threat of renewed kinetic action has heightened market volatility and uncertainty among investors who monitor the stability of the region.

Iranian military leadership has responded with strong rhetoric that signals a readiness for a disproportionate response. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that even limited strikes by the adversary would trigger a reaction several times greater in scale. This assessment was reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency. The message is clear to potential attackers: the cost of engagement has increased significantly, and the defensive threshold for Iranian retaliation has been lowered.

Ali Abdollahi, the Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces, further emphasized the country’s defensive posture on Saturday. He declared that the US military would not be permitted to operate in the Gulf under any circumstances or at any time. Abdollahi characterized the idea of US forces entering the region as a dream that Trump would eventually take to the grave. Such statements aim to project strength and deterrence, influencing how regional partners and global markets price the risk of supply chain disruptions in the Gulf.

The political timelines in Washington and Jerusalem add another layer of complexity to the situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained his commitment to overthrowing the Iranian government. Israelis are scheduled to go to the polls on Tuesday to select their next government. The outcome of this election could influence Israel’s willingness to pursue aggressive military objectives or seek a quicker diplomatic resolution.

In the United States, President Trump faces a crucial midterm election on November 3. The Republican Party is at risk of losing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to the Democrats. For Trump, who has more than two years remaining in his current term, such a loss would represent a significant political setback. This dynamic may influence his decision-making regarding foreign policy and military engagement with Iran in the coming weeks.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, outlined Tehran’s strategic position in a memo on Saturday. She stated that Iran would not wait for permission to defend itself while emphasizing a desire for peace. Mohajerani noted that the country seeks dialogue but will respond to aggression with severe consequences. She warned that those who believe they can destroy Iran must correct their calculations, suggesting that Iran is prepared for a long-term strategic standoff.

Behind the scenes, high-level discussions are continuing within Iran’s leadership. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday. The pair discussed strategies to combat corruption and pursue 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 February 28. He has remained out of public view since taking office, though Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was reported to have met with him earlier in the week.