Iranian Leaders Celebrate Midterm Results as War Stalls
Tehran officials view the Democratic sweep as a domestic U.S. rebuke of President Trump's strategy, even as military strikes continue near the Strait of Hormuz.
By Mateo Thompson ·
Iranian leaders declared a symbolic victory on Wednesday after U.S. voters handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The conflict disrupted global energy markets and led the U.S. to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Thousands of U.S. troops remain stationed in waters off Iran. Another aircraft carrier and additional troops are currently en route to the Middle East.
In the weeks following the war's start, the region remained tense as the U.S. considered resuming full-scale operations. This prospect had not materialized in almost two months. Back-channel negotiations continued while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed for more strikes. President Trump alternated between threatening major attacks and seeking a deal. The midterm elections concluded on Tuesday with Democrats winning both the House and the Senate. This outcome frustrated many Americans over rising fuel and food prices linked to the war.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, addressed the shift in a social media letter. He had not been seen publicly since late February. He argued that partisan changes in Washington do not alter American hostility toward the Islamic Republic. He stated that those hoping for a change in behavior are gravely mistaken. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator and parliament speaker, posted on X that Americans said no to war. He warned that if the U.S. government betrays its public will, it will learn that Iran's no comes with a nightmare. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that ignoring the election results would lead to consequences extending beyond what Washington has already witnessed.
Thousands marched through Tehran on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover. Demonstrators burned American and Israeli flags and chanted death to both nations. They displayed effigies of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hananeh Jahed, a demonstrator, said Trump went too far in everything, citing that as a reason for his election defeat. Zahra Nadiminejad noted that U.S. voters finally realized Iran cannot be ignored. She said the consequences of the war, including skyrocketing gas and food prices, are visible back home. She asserted that Iranian hostility toward America will not end regardless of which party controls Congress.
Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani told the crowd that the United States and Israel suffered a massive defeat. He claimed this failure resulted from the Iranian nation's steadfastness and strength. Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, the judiciary chief, said on social media that Trump failed in both war and politics. He promised to impose even more defeats upon the president.
The elections occurred one day after limited strikes hit Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm and Hengam islands and near the port city of Bandar Abbas on Monday. Authorities have not identified the specific sites struck or disclosed the extent of the damage. The strait handles about a fifth of the world's oil supply. Iran has restricted shipping while the U.S. blocks tankers carrying Iranian oil. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that he and President Trump feel good about the prospects for a negotiated settlement. He made this statement before news of the latest strikes emerged.
