Pezeshkian Accuses Washington of Collapsing Ceasefire as Gulf Tensions Spike

Tehran and Washington are locked in a fierce dispute over who caused the collapse of the temporary truce that paused the war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian placed the responsibility squarely on the United States. He spoke during a broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday. His remarks highlighted the urgency of the situation. The two nations are now staring down the barrel of renewed combat. The atmosphere is tense, with observers worried that shots could start firing again within days.

Despite assigning blame, Pezeshkian urged both sides to return to the negotiating table. He stated that the parties should conclude the agreement. This call for diplomacy arrived just after US President Donald Trump made his own comments. On Friday, Trump hinted at potential new strikes. He referred to the possibility of another "little Epic Fury." This was the codename used for the joint US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28.

Iranian military officials have signaled a tough stance on any future engagements. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that even small attacks would provoke a massive reaction. According to reports from the semi-official Fars News Agency, the response would be several times greater than the initial strike. This threat underscores the volatility of the current ceasefire.

Ali Abdollahi, the chief of staff for Iran’s armed forces, made a strong declaration on Saturday. He stated that the US military would not be permitted to enter the Gulf under any conditions. Abdollahi addressed Trump directly regarding this stance. He suggested that the American leader could only dream of seeing US forces in the region. Abdollahi added that Trump would take that dream to his grave.

Political pressure is building in both nations as they approach key voting days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to changing the Iranian government. Israelis will vote for their next government on Tuesday. Meanwhile, US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3. Trump’s Republican Party faces a critical test. Democrats have a chance to take control of both the House and the Senate. Such a result would be a significant setback for Trump, who still has more than two years remaining in his final term.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, outlined Tehran’s defensive posture. She stated that the country will not wait for permission to protect itself. In a written memo, Mohajerani emphasized that Iran seeks peace but will react severely to any aggression. She noted that those hoping to destroy Iran must adjust their calculations. She added that Iran does not shy away from dialogue but does not hesitate to defend the nation.

High-level meetings are taking place within the Iranian leadership. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday. The two discussed strategies to combat corruption. They also talked about seeking compensation for citizens affected by the war. Khamenei took the supreme leader role after his father was killed in the initial strikes on February 28. He has not appeared in public since taking office in early March.

Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was also reported to have met with Khamenei earlier in the week. These internal consultations suggest that Tehran is coordinating its response carefully. The coming weekend may prove decisive for the region. The balance between diplomatic efforts and military threats remains delicate.