Khamenei Says US Hostility Will Outlast Democrats’ Election Win

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says the US will remain hostile to Iran, no matter which party controls Congress. His message came after Democrats won both chambers in Tuesday’s midterm elections, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump. The election gives Tehran a chance to claim American voters rejected the war, but Khamenei says anyone expecting a change in US policy is “greatly mistaken.” ^1,3

That warning comes alongside a more triumphant message from Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator. He said Americans had voted “NO TO WAR” and warned Washington not to ignore them. Trump has acknowledged that the attack on Iran helped Republicans lose, while insisting the US “had to do it” to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Iranian lawmakers say Tehran will keep its demands, regardless of who controls Congress. ^1,2,3

Those demands matter because the election does not itself end the fighting. The US and Israel began striking Iran on February 28; Iran hit back, and the conflict disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies. Washington and Tehran are still discussing a possible deal through mediators, but Iran says the strait will stay closed until its conditions are met. Both sides have warned of more military action, leaving the region on edge. ^3,5,10

The Strait of Hormuz is now part of the choice facing Trump: pursue a settlement or risk renewed strikes and wider retaliation. Democrats’ control of Congress gives them new ways to challenge his policies, but does not guarantee an end to the war. Trump says talks continue and US forces remain ready; Iranian leaders say they will not give in under pressure. The next step depends on whether Washington and Tehran can agree on terms. ^2,6,10