Iran considers the results of the U.S. midterm elections to be insignificant and does not see any impact on the country's policies towards the Islamic Republic. Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, stated in a statement following the elections: "If there are still those who believe that the U.S. can abandon its enmity towards the Iranian nation, they are severely mistaken."
Khamenei's Warning to the U.S.
Khamenei also warned that Tehran will respond more strongly to any future military action by the U.S. These elections were held after months of military tension between Tehran and Washington, which disrupted global energy markets and increased concerns about further conflicts in the region.
Domestic Analyses and Opinions in Iran
Mohammad Sadegh Javadi Hesar, an Iranian journalist and member of the reformist National Trust Party, noted that the election results will not affect Iran's calculations. He emphasized that decisions regarding the end of tensions will ultimately be made in Washington, and Tehran will continue to pursue its previous demands for peace, including an end to all hostilities and the lifting of the U.S. maritime blockade.
Meanwhile, some others in Iran assessed the election results positively. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, claimed that American voters expressed their views on tensions with Iran, stating: "Americans said no to war." He also pointed to the rising cost of living as one of the reasons for the Republican Party's defeat.
Historical Impacts and Comparisons
Some analysts in Iran compared the election results to other historical periods of U.S.-Iran tensions. The state-affiliated news agency Mehr compared Trump's political troubles to those of former President Jimmy Carter, referencing the failed military operation in 1980 to rescue hostages in Tehran. The agency argued that this event illustrates the limitations of U.S. military power in resolving disputes with Iran.
Ultimately, media close to the Revolutionary Guards deemed the overall significance of the elections to be minimal, stating that there is no meaningful difference in Iran policies between Republicans and Democrats. They quoted a Persian proverb: "The yellow dog is the brother of the wolf," indicating that neither side should expect different actions from Iran.
Hosseini Alizadeh, a former diplomat and international relations expert, pointed out the significant effects of U.S. domestic policies on the world, saying: "The U.S. is a great and hegemonic power, and therefore developments in this country are important for the entire world." He also believes that the likelihood of further military escalation by the U.S. is very low, and Democrats prefer diplomatic agreements with Tehran over military actions.
