Tehran Blames Washington for Collapse of Ceasefire Amid Election Risks

The interim agreement designed to end hostilities between the United States and Iran has effectively unraveled, with Tehran now placing full responsibility for the breakdown on Washington. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in remarks broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday that the US is to blame for the deal's collapse. Despite this attribution of fault, Pezeshkian indicated that both parties should return to the negotiating table to conclude the agreement.

The political and economic stakes are rising as fears grow that military action could resume as early as this weekend. US President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that he might initiate another phase of the conflict, referring to it as a "little Epic Fury." This codename refers to the US-Israeli war against Iran that commenced on February 28, 2026. The threat of renewed combat introduces significant volatility for global markets and energy supply chains.

Iranian military officials have issued strong warnings about the consequences of further strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that even limited attacks would provoke a response several times greater in scale. Ali Abdollahi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, declared that the US military would not be permitted to operate in the Gulf under any circumstances. He characterized the idea of US forces entering the region as a dream that Trump would take to his grave.

The diplomatic standoff coincides with pivotal election cycles in both countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to overthrowing the Iranian government. Israelis are scheduled to select their next government on Tuesday. In the United States, Trump’s Republican Party faces midterm elections on November 3, where Democrats could gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such a result would represent a major setback for Trump, who has more than two years remaining in his final term.

Iranian officials are signaling a willingness to defend national interests without seeking approval from external actors. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani noted on Saturday that Tehran does not wait for permission to defend itself. She emphasized that while the country seeks peace, it will respond to any aggression with severe consequences. Mohajerani wrote in a memo that Iran does not flee from dialogue but will not hesitate to defend the country, urging those who aim to destroy Iran to correct their calculations.

Internal coordination in Tehran appears to be intensifying. Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday. The two discussed strategies to combat corruption and pursue compensation for citizens affected by the war. Khamenei assumed the role of supreme leader after his father was assassinated during the initial strikes on February 28. He has not appeared in public since taking office in early March.

Negotiations remain a central focus for the Iranian government. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, was reported to have met with Khamenei earlier this week. These meetings suggest that the leadership is actively managing the dual tracks of military preparedness and diplomatic engagement. The outcome of these internal discussions will likely shape Iran's response to US actions in the coming days.