Iran blames US for deal failure amid fears of renewed conflict

Pezeshkian calls for return to negotiations as tensions escalate

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the United States for the collapse of an interim deal aimed at ending the war with the US and Israel, with growing fears that military action could resume imminently. In comments broadcast on Saturday, Pezeshkian also urged both sides to return to the deal and conclude it.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed Washington for the unravelling of an interim deal aimed at ending the war with the United States and Israel. In comments broadcast by Iranian Press TV on Saturday, Pezeshkian also said both sides should return to the deal and "conclude it". His remarks come amid growing fears that military action could resume as soon as this weekend, after US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he "may do another little Epic Fury", using the codename of the US-Israeli war against Iran that started on February 28.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that even limited strikes would trigger a response "several times greater", according to comments reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency. Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi said on Saturday that the US military would not be allowed in the Gulf "under any circumstances and at any time". Abdollahi added that Trump could only "dream" of seeing US forces enter the Gulf.

Trump has suggested he could take further military action against Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he remains committed to overthrowing the country's government. Both leaders face elections, with Israelis set to choose their next government on Tuesday. The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, with Democrats potentially winning control of both chambers of Congress.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Saturday that Tehran would not "wait for permission to defend itself", adding that the country "seeks peace but will respond to any aggression with severe consequences". "Our position is clear: we do not flee from dialogue for peace, and we do not hesitate in defending the country. Those who harbour the illusion of destroying Iran must correct their calculations," Mohajerani wrote in a memo. Her comments came as Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his father after the latter was assassinated during the opening strikes of the war on February 28.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The potential resumption of hostilities threatens regional stability and risks a broader conflict with devastating humanitarian and economic consequences.
Upcoming elections in Israel and the United States could shape the trajectory of the war, as domestic political pressures influence leaders' decisions on escalation or diplomacy.
The failure of the interim deal suggests diplomatic efforts are faltering, increasing the likelihood of further military confrontation.

Background

The US-Israeli war against Iran, codenamed Epic Fury, began on February 28. Mojtaba Khamenei became supreme leader after his father was assassinated in the opening strikes. The interim deal was an attempt to end the conflict, but it has now unravelled.

Key Perspectives

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: Blames Washington for the deal failure and urges both sides to return to negotiations to conclude the deal.
US President Donald Trump: Has suggested possible further military action, using the war's codename "Epic Fury".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Remains committed to overthrowing the Iranian government.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): Warns that even limited strikes would be met with a response "several times greater".
Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi: States that the US military will not be permitted in the Gulf and that Trump's ambitions are unrealistic.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani: Says Iran seeks peace but will defend itself against any aggression with severe consequences.

What to Watch

Potential military action this weekend, as indicated by Trump's comments and Iranian fears.
Israeli general election on Tuesday, which could affect Netanyahu's position and war policy.
US midterm elections on November 3, with Democrats possibly gaining control of Congress and altering the political landscape.

Sources

Iran blames US for deal failure, urges new try amid fear of new attacks · Al Jazeera

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedIran blamed the US for the deal’s failure amid fears of renewed conflict.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iran blames US for deal failure, urges new try amid fear of new attacks.”
Partly supportedPezeshkian called for a return to negotiations.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Pezeshkian also said that both sides should return to the deal and “conclude it”.”
Not in the sourcesTensions are escalating.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “amid growing fears that the fighting could resume imminently.”
SupportedMilitary action could resume as soon as this weekend.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “military action could resume as soon as this weekend”
SupportedTrump said he “may do another little Epic Fury”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Donald Trump said on Friday that he “may do another little Epic Fury””
SupportedThe IRGC warned that even limited strikes would trigger a response “several times greater”, as reported by Fars.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that even limited strikes would trigger a response “several times greater”, according to comments reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency.”
SupportedAbdollahi said the US military would not be allowed in the Gulf “under any circumstances and at any time”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi said on Saturday that the US military would not be allowed in the Gulf “under any circumstances and at any time”.”
SupportedMohajerani said Tehran would not “wait for permission to defend itself” and that it “seeks peace but will respond to any aggression with severe consequences”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Saturday that Tehran would not “wait for permission to defend itself”, adding that the country “seeks peace but will respond to any aggression with severe consequences”.”
SupportedThe US midterms are on November 3, and Democrats could win control of both chambers of Congress.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Trump’s Republican Party faces crucial midterm elections on November 3, with Democrats potentially winning control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.”
SupportedMohseni Ejei met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his father after the latter was assassinated during the war’s opening strikes on February 28.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. ... Khamenei replaced his father as supreme leader after the latter was assassinated during the opening strikes of the war on February 28.”