Pezeshkian Accuses Washington of Sabotaging Ceasefire as Battle Looms

The war that began on February 28 is poised to reignite this weekend, a timeline that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says is entirely the fault of Washington. In remarks broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday, Pezeshkian placed the blame for the unravelling of the interim deal squarely on the United States. He argued that the American side was responsible for the breakdown, yet he simultaneously urged both parties to return to the negotiating table to conclude the agreement.

The tension in the region has intensified following comments made by US President Donald Trump on Friday. Trump stated that he might launch another operation codenamed Epic Fury, the name used for the initial US-Israeli strikes against Iran. This suggestion of renewed force has fueled fears that the pause in fighting is temporary, with military analysts and officials watching for signs of an imminent escalation as the weekend approaches.

Iran’s military leadership has issued stark warnings in response to the shifting diplomatic landscape. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, told the semi-official Fars News Agency that even limited strikes would trigger a reaction several times greater in scale. This posture of aggressive deterrence aims to raise the cost of any new American offensive before it begins.

Ali Abdollahi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, reinforced this message on Saturday. He declared that the US military would not be permitted into the Gulf under any circumstances. Abdollahi characterized the idea of American forces entering the region as a mere dream that Trump would take to his grave, signaling that Tehran is prepared to block American naval presence in the waterway.

Political pressures are mounting on both sides of the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained his commitment to overthrowing the Iranian government. Israelis are scheduled to vote for their next government on Tuesday, a moment that could influence the country’s approach to the war. Meanwhile, Trump faces his own electoral hurdle with the Republican Party’s midterm elections on November 3.

The stakes for Trump are high as Democrats have the potential to win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such a result would deal a significant blow to his administration with more than two years remaining in his final term. The timing of these elections may constrain or accelerate the US decision to return to the battlefield.

Tehran’s official stance balances a desire for peace with a readiness for war. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated on Saturday that Iran will not wait for permission to defend itself. She wrote in a memo that while the country seeks peace, it will respond to any aggression with severe consequences. Mohajerani added that those who believe they can destroy Iran must correct their calculations.

Behind the scenes, the Iranian leadership is consolidating its position. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday. The two discussed tackling corruption and pursuing compensation for citizens affected by the war. Khamenei, who replaced his father after the latter was assassinated in the opening strikes of February 28, has not been seen in public since assuming the role in early March. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also met with the Supreme Leader earlier in the week.

The situation remains fluid as both nations prepare for the possibility of renewed conflict. The collapse of the interim deal has left a vacuum filled with threats and counter-threats. As the weekend arrives, the world watches to see if the promise of peace will hold or if the codename Epic Fury will once again mark the start of a new phase in the war.