Washington Blamed as Iran Deal Collapses Ahead of Critical US Midterms

The collapse of the interim ceasefire has placed the US midterm elections on a high-stakes trajectory as Tehran shifts the blame for the breakdown squarely onto Washington. The diplomatic rupture occurs just days before American voters head to the polls, creating a volatile backdrop for the Republican Party’s bid to hold onto congressional power.

President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in broadcast comments on Saturday that Washington is responsible for the unraveling of the agreement designed to end the war with the United States and Israel. Despite the attribution of fault, Pezeshkian indicated that both nations should return to the negotiating table to finalize the terms. These remarks land as anxiety mounts over the potential for immediate military re engagement, a risk highlighted by US President Donald Trump’s Friday suggestion that he might launch another operation under the codename Epic Fury.

The defense sector and regional markets are watching the rhetoric from Iranian military leaders closely. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that even limited strikes would provoke a response several times greater in scale. Ali Abdollahi, the Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed Forces, declared on Saturday that US military forces would not be permitted in the Gulf under any circumstances. He characterized the prospect of American naval presence as a dream that Trump would take to his grave, signaling a hard line against further intrusion.

Political pressure is mounting on both sides of the Atlantic. Netanyahu remains committed to the goal of overthrowing the Iranian government, a stance that aligns with his party’s aggressive posture. In the United States, the November 3 midterms present a significant hurdle for the White House. Democrats are positioned to potentially capture both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such a shift would represent a major setback for Trump, who has more than two years remaining in his final term.

The Iranian government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajerani, clarified the nation’s strategic posture in a memo released on Saturday. She stated that Tehran would not wait for permission to defend itself and that the country seeks peace but will respond to aggression with severe consequences. Mohajerani emphasized that Iran does not avoid dialogue but also does not hesitate in defense, urging those who believe they can destroy the nation to correct their calculations.

High-level domestic consultations are underway in Tehran as the judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The two discussed strategies to combat corruption and pursue compensation for citizens affected by the war that began on February 28. Khamenei, who assumed the role after his father was assassinated during the initial strikes, has not appeared in public since early March. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was also reported to have met with the Supreme Leader earlier in the week to coordinate the response.