Pezeshkian: US Breached Interim Pact, Setting Stage for Weekend Strike

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of breaking an interim agreement designed to end hostilities with the US and Israel. Speaking in remarks broadcast by Press TV on Saturday, Pezeshkian stated that both nations should return to the framework and "conclude it." His comments arrived as military analysts and officials prepared for potential renewed combat as early as this weekend.

The interim deal was established after a war commenced on February 28, 2026. That conflict began with joint US and Israeli strikes. The current tension escalated following a statement by US President Donald Trump on Friday. Trump indicated he "may do another little Epic Fury," referencing the codename for the ongoing war. This threat increased speculation that strikes could resume within days.

Iran’s military leadership responded with firm warnings. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps told the semi-official Fars News Agency that even limited attacks would trigger a response "several times greater." On Saturday, Ali Abdollahi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, declared that US forces would not be permitted in the Gulf "under any circumstances and at any time." He added that Trump could only "dream" of seeing American troops in the region and would take that dream to the grave.

Diplomatic and political pressures mount on both sides of the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to overthrowing the Iranian government. Israelis are scheduled to vote in national elections on Tuesday. In Washington, Trump’s Republican Party faces midterm elections on November 3. Democrats have a chance to secure control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Such a shift would impact Trump, who has more than two years remaining in his final term.

Fateme Mohajerani, the Iranian government spokesperson, issued a memo on Saturday stating that Tehran would not "wait for permission to defend itself." She wrote that the country "seeks peace but will respond to any aggression with severe consequences." Mohajerani emphasized that Iran does not flee from dialogue but does not hesitate in defending the nation. She warned that those hoping to destroy Iran must "correct their calculations."

In Tehran, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei met with Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei 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 in early March after his father was assassinated during the initial strikes of the war on February 28. He has not appeared in public since taking office. Earlier this week, Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also met with Khamenei.