Iran’s president blames Washington for the failed interim deal and calls for renewed talks as US military threats and Iranian warnings raise fears of escalation.
Iran Blames US for Failed Deal, Calls for Renewed Peace Talks
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the United States for the collapse of negotiations aimed at securing an interim agreement to end the war involving Iran, the US and Israel, while urging both sides to make another attempt at reaching a settlement. His remarks come as warnings of possible renewed military strikes raise concerns about a further escalation of the conflict.
Speaking in comments broadcast by Iranian state television on Saturday, October 24, Pezeshkian said discussions had been under way before Washington derailed the effort. Despite his criticism, the Iranian president indicated that he still supported returning to negotiations and completing an agreement.
The appeal for renewed diplomacy contrasts with increasingly forceful military statements from both sides. US President Donald Trump has suggested that American forces could launch further operations against Iran, while Iranian officials have warned that any new attack would provoke a strong response.
According to reporting by Al Jazeera and Reuters, no new agreement had been announced as of October 25, leaving the prospects for an immediate diplomatic breakthrough uncertain.
Pezeshkian Calls for a Second Attempt at an Agreement
Pezeshkian’s comments suggest that Tehran has not entirely abandoned the possibility of reaching a negotiated settlement, despite its accusations against Washington.
The proposed interim agreement was intended to help end the ongoing war between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance. However, negotiations have been complicated by deep disagreements over security, military operations and the conditions required for a lasting settlement.
The Iranian president did not announce a new negotiating timetable or disclose specific terms for restarting the process in his televised remarks. His call to resume efforts nevertheless signals that diplomacy remains an option, even as tensions continue to rise.
The two governments have repeatedly accused each other of obstructing negotiations. Tehran argues that American military pressure undermines diplomatic efforts, while Washington has maintained demands intended to address its security concerns.
The latest statements have not resolved those differences, and there is no confirmed indication that a new round of talks has been scheduled.
Trump Raises the Possibility of Further Military Action
Concerns about a renewed confrontation increased after Trump said on Friday that he might launch another operation against Iran. He referred to the possibility of another round of what he called “Epic Fury”, the codename associated with the US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28, 2026.
The remark raised questions about whether the conflict could intensify again in the coming days. However, a public threat or warning does not by itself establish that an attack has been authorized or that military action is imminent.
The possibility of further strikes has added pressure to an already fragile diplomatic situation. Any renewed operation could complicate efforts to restore negotiations and increase the risk of retaliation across the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also reiterated his commitment to removing Iran’s government from power, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting. The positions expressed by Washington and Jerusalem have reinforced Tehran’s concerns about the objectives of the military campaign.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, have maintained that the country will respond to any new aggression.
Iran Warns of a Strong Response to Attacks
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful military organization responsible for protecting the country’s political system and pursuing security operations, has warned that even limited strikes would trigger a response several times greater, according to statements reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency.
The warning underscores Tehran’s effort to deter further military action by emphasizing the potential cost of an attack. It does not, however, establish what specific operations Iran would carry out if fighting resumed.
Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, also issued a forceful warning about the presence of US forces in the Gulf. He said American troops would not be permitted to enter the area, reflecting the continuing confrontation over military influence and security in the strategically important waterway.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani similarly said the country would not wait for permission to defend itself. She stated that Tehran sought peace but would respond to aggression with serious consequences.
Taken together, the statements show that Iranian officials are promoting two messages at once: a willingness to consider diplomacy and a determination to retaliate if the country is attacked again.
Political Pressures Complicate the Conflict
The diplomatic standoff is unfolding against a significant political backdrop in both the United States and Israel.
Israel is preparing for a national election on Tuesday, while US voters are scheduled to participate in congressional midterm elections on November 3. The American vote could change the balance of power in Congress, potentially affecting Trump’s ability to advance his domestic agenda.
These political events form part of the broader context surrounding the conflict, but they do not establish that either government will make military or diplomatic decisions for electoral reasons.
The war has also created uncertainty over regional security and the possibility of a wider confrontation. Further exchanges between US and Iranian forces could place additional pressure on diplomatic efforts and increase instability across the Middle East.
Within Iran, senior officials have continued discussions about the consequences of the conflict. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has met with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, with discussions including corruption and compensation for Iranians affected by the war, according to Al Jazeera.
Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, after the former supreme leader was killed during the opening strikes of the conflict in February.
What Comes Next for US-Iran Diplomacy?
For now, the central question is whether Washington and Tehran can return to negotiations before renewed military action further narrows the diplomatic options.
Pezeshkian has publicly called for another attempt at reaching an agreement, but neither side has confirmed a new timetable or announced a completed deal. At the same time, statements from Trump and Iranian military officials demonstrate that the risk of further confrontation remains a major concern.
The immediate situation therefore remains unresolved. Any progress will depend on whether both sides can agree on conditions for renewed talks and address the security disputes that have obstructed a settlement.
Until an agreement is announced or a new diplomatic process is confirmed, the prospect of ending the war remains uncertain.
