Pezeshkian: Iran ready to return to deal as IRGC threatens retaliation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed Washington for the collapse of an interim agreement designed to end hostilities with the United States and Israel, stating that both sides should return to the negotiations and complete the deal. His comments were broadcast by Press TV on Saturday as military officials issued warnings regarding potential strikes over the weekend.

Pezeshkian said the failure to uphold the agreement rests with the United States, but he added that the deal should be concluded. The statement followed comments from US President Donald Trump on Friday, in which he said he "may do another little Epic Fury," referring to the codename of the war against Iran that began on February 28.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any limited strikes would draw a response several times greater, according to reports from the semi-official Fars News Agency. Ali Abdollahi, the Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, stated on Saturday that the US military would not be allowed into the Gulf under any circumstances, adding that Trump could only dream of such a deployment.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani wrote in a memo that Tehran would not wait for permission to defend itself, noting that the country seeks peace but will respond to aggression with severe consequences. She stated that Iran does not flee from dialogue for peace, nor does it hesitate in defending the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he remains committed to overthrowing the Iranian government. Both Trump and Netanyahu face upcoming elections; Israelis are scheduled to choose a new government on Tuesday, while US midterm elections take place on November 3. Democrats could gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in those US elections.

The judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss corruption and compensation for Iranians affected by the war. Khamenei assumed leadership following his father's assassination during the opening strikes on February 28 and has not been seen in public since early March. Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was reported to have met with Khamenei earlier this week.