Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed Washington on Saturday for the unravelling of an interim deal aimed at ending the war with the United States and Israel, as fears grew that fighting could resume as soon as this weekend.1
In comments broadcast by Iranian Press TV, Pezeshkian also said both sides should return to the deal and "conclude it." The war began on February 28, and US President Donald Trump has referred to the US-Israeli campaign against Iran by its codename, Epic Fury.1,4
At a campaign rally in Florida on Friday, Trump suggested the United States could launch another operation against Iran if Tehran failed to reach an agreement. "We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree," the president said.4,1
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a letter on Friday that Iran had "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel." Axios was first to report on the memo, and CBS News also obtained it. "The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries," Clayton wrote.2,4
The one-page, unclassified memo does not identify specific targets or countries, and it does not say whether any attacks are imminent. Clayton also said the US intelligence community is working to downgrade sensitive intelligence so it can be shared more broadly with State Department personnel. CIA Director John Ratcliffe was copied on the memo.2,4
The warning came as Washington pulled back its diplomatic presence across the region. Earlier this week the State Department ordered non-emergency US government personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. On Friday it announced staffing reductions at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates without ordering departures. "When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment," a U.S. official told CBS News.2,4
The Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has stepped up drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting oil infrastructure and airports. One strike on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport earlier this month killed at least a dozen people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured hundreds more. Last weekend, US embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other countries warned Americans to exercise caution.4
Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, told a podcaster that a US strike on Iran "absolutely" could come this weekend. That contradicted prior statements from the White House that there would be no such attack before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Asked about the comment on Friday, Trump said, "That was my ambassador to Turkey? He's a pretty powerful man, I guess." He added, "Well, if that's the case, I don't know anything about it."2
The US military has drawn up options to attack Iran after the midterm elections, possibly renewing a conflict that has lasted more than eight months. US Central Command has plans ready to conduct follow-up strikes if the White House authorizes them. The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday from aboard the USS George Washington, one of two US aircraft carriers in the region, that US warships are making preparations for another potential escalation. The ship's commanding officer, Capt. Nicholas DeLeo, said, "We are always prepared."3,2
The reports differ on timing. Al Jazeera described fears of military action as soon as this weekend, while The Hill reported options for strikes after the midterms. CBS News reported that Trump has not ruled out restarting hostilities after next month's midterm elections, and the New York Post reported that the White House had said there would be no attack before them. None of the reports say whether any strike will take place.1,2,3,4
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Saturday that Tehran would not "wait for permission to defend itself," and that the country "seeks peace but will respond to any aggression with severe consequences." The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned, according to comments reported by the semi-official Fars News Agency, that even limited strikes would trigger a response "several times greater."1
Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi said on Saturday that the US military would not be allowed in the Gulf "under any circumstances and at any time." He said Trump could only "dream" of seeing US forces enter the Gulf, adding that he would take his dream to the grave.1
Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his father as supreme leader after the father was assassinated during the opening strikes of the war on February 28, and he has not been seen in public since early March. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei met him to discuss corruption and compensation for Iranians affected by the war. Israelis are set to choose their next government on Tuesday, and the US midterm elections are on November 3.1,2
Mohajerani wrote in a memo: "Our position is clear: we do not flee from dialogue for peace, and we do not hesitate in defending the country. Those who harbour the illusion of destroying Iran must correct their calculations."1
