Iranian President Blames US for Sabotaging Talks and Worsening Food Shortages
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said US pressure has deepened hardship for many Iranians and ruined ongoing peace negotiations.
Masoud Pezeshkian told one outlet that the surge in American economic pressure is forcing numerous Iranians to struggle for basic sustenance. He claimed the United States deliberately undermined a pending interim deal and insisted that any future talks must occur without US threats. While Washington has recently limited its military operations in the Middle East, it has simultaneously tightened sanctions on Tehran, prompting concerns about a possible resumption of bombings.
Earlier, US ambassador to Turkey Tom Barak warned that limited American strikes on Iran could restart as soon as the weekend. Pezeshkian concluded that Iran must emerge from a state that is neither war nor peace, though he offered no concrete plan.
Why it matters
The statements highlight rising tensions over sanctions and peace talks that could affect regional stability and humanitarian conditions.
How this story developed
- Sep 29 Oil prices jump as US-Iran tensions flare and US troops leave Iraq
- Oct 7 The White House has asked the Pentagon to outline possible new attacks on Iran before the November midterms, aiming to show progress in the conflict and lower gas prices.
- Oct 8 Trump publicly ruled out an Iranian strike before the midterm elections.
- Oct 9 Oil prices rose sharply as uncertainty over the U.S. stance on Iran grew.
- Oct 11 Trump has kept large‑scale military pressure on Iran on hold for the next 24 days until the midterm elections conclude.
- Oct 13 Trump’s Strait of Hormuz announcement and dismissal of Iran’s UN proposal occurred alongside a Brent price jump and the departure of the final U.S. soldiers from Iraq.
- Oct 14 Trump warned that Washington will soon decide its next move against Iran.
- Oct 17 President Pezeshkian issued a new statement declaring talks with the United States futile.
- Oct 20 During an unannounced trip, US Defense Secretary Χέγκσεθ met Israeli Prime Minister Νετανιάχου at an air base in the southern desert. Israeli officials declined to detail the discussion, while the US Defense Department offered no comment. The encounter occurred as friction between the United States and Iran intensifies, and regional militant activity escalates.
- Oct 21 Pete Hegseth’s visit, initially unreported, has now been confirmed.
- Oct 21 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared a more extensive attack on Iran for Oct. 10, but President Donald Trump opposed the plan ahead of the U.S. midterms.
- Oct 23 Netanyahu announced plans for a larger strike on Iran.
- Oct 24 Trump hinted at a possible limited “Epic Fury” operation against Iran.
- Oct 24 Former President Barack Obama publicly criticized Trump’s conduct of the Iran war and tied it to cost‑of‑living concerns.
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