Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally blamed Washington for the collapse of an interim agreement intended to de-escalate the ongoing war between Iran and the alliance of the United States and Israel. In remarks broadcast by state-run Iranian Press TV on Saturday, the President indicated that despite the current impasse, both sides should work toward a resolution and “conclude it” to avoid further military escalation.
These diplomatic overtures arrive against a backdrop of heightening regional instability. On Friday, US President Donald Trump suggested that he might initiate further military action, referring to a potential operation using the codename “Epic Fury.” This follows the commencement of the US-Israeli conflict against Iran, which officially began on February 28. As the situation remains fluid, concerns regarding an imminent resumption of combat operations have intensified among regional observers.
In response to the potential for further military engagement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning. According to reports from the semi-official Fars News Agency, the IRGC asserted that even limited strikes against Iranian territory would trigger a military retaliation “several times greater.” This defensive posture was echoed by Ali Abdollahi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, who stated on Saturday that US military forces would not be permitted to enter the Gulf “under any circumstances and at any time.” Abdollahi further dismissed the prospect of US naval or ground presence in the region, suggesting such ambitions were unattainable for the current US administration.
The political environment in both Washington and Jerusalem is adding to the volatility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance, expressing his ongoing commitment to the objective of overthrowing the current Iranian government, with Israeli citizens heading to the polls this coming Tuesday. Simultaneously, President Trump is navigating the lead-up to US midterm elections scheduled for November 3. The potential shift in legislative control, with Democrats vying for dominance in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, presents a significant political challenge for Trump as he progresses through the final years of his term.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani addressed the threat of ongoing military pressure on Saturday, emphasizing that Tehran remains committed to national sovereignty. “Tehran will not wait for permission to defend itself,” Mohajerani stated, adding that while the nation seeks a path to peace, it will not hesitate to provide a severe response to any act of aggression. She reinforced that those who continue to pursue the objective of destroying the Iranian state should revise their strategic calculations.
Internal discussions within the Iranian leadership have also been focused on the long-term impact of the conflict. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei held meetings this week with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss the pursuit of compensation for citizens impacted by the war, alongside efforts to address domestic corruption. Supreme Leader Khamenei, who succeeded his father following his assassination during the initial February 28 strikes, has remained largely out of the public eye since early March. Parliament Speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was also noted to have consulted with the Supreme Leader earlier this week regarding the state of the conflict.
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