"The Americans said 'no' to the war"
The US election results sparked satisfaction in Tehran. Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, dealing a major blow to Donald Trump and his party. It was an exceptionally difficult night for the White House and Republicans. Trump himself, as the results came in, admitted that the war with Iran was one of the factors that contributed to his party's poor result.
The Iranian authorities quickly used the electoral defeat of the American president to make political comments. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on the X platform:
"Whether driven by conscience or concern about the cost of living, Americans said 'no' to war. We support that message."
Iranian media spoke in a similar tone. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has already written in the headline: "War with Iran one of the main factors of the defeat of the Republicans in the midterm elections."
Tehran therefore presents the vote result as an expression of American voters' opposition to the conflict. However, this is not the only interpretation of the Republicans' electoral defeat. The rising cost of living and dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's policies also played an important role in the campaign.
Trump blames candidates and war. Mojtaba Khamenei warns
Donald Trump tried to distance himself from the election result, stating that Republicans would have won if his name had been on the ballot. In a series of interviews given after the results were announced, he pointed to weak candidates of his own party and the war with Iran as factors responsible for the defeat. The vote result may mean serious consequences for the further implementation of the president's political program and his MAGA movement. However, in an interview with The New York Times, he declared that he would accept the election results.
However, a more important question concerns the further course of the conflict in the Middle East. It is not known whether the American president will decide to resume large-scale attacks on Iran. It was previously revealed that the United States carried out secret strikes on Iranian targets in the run-up to the midterm elections.
The possibility of further escalation is indicated by the statements of Iran's Supreme Leader, Majtaba Khamenei. On Wednesday, he warned that the change in the balance of political power in Washington would not affect Tehran's attitude towards the United States.
Washington's hostility towards Tehran will not change either as a result of changes in the balance of political power in the US or as a result of any concessions made to the United States. Those who think otherwise "are seriously mistaken," Khamenei said.
He also warned that Iran's response to a possible renewal of American aggression would be on a much larger scale. He pointed to Tehran's destruction of American bases in the region and control of the Strait of Hormuz as elements of actions aimed at US dominance.
The United States believes that the end of its hegemony is a distant prospect. We think it is close, Khamenei said.
IRGC Commander's Advisor: We Are Witnessing the Birth of the 'Third Revolution'
Hamid Reza Moqaddamfar, advisor to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), made even harsher comments. In his opinion, the election results are political proof of Donald Trump's defeat in the confrontation with Iran. Moqaddamfar emphasized that from Tehran's perspective, the change in the balance of power between the American parties is of no major importance.
There is actually no difference between elephants, i.e. Republicans, and donkeys, i.e. Democrats, he said.
At the same time, he described the defeat of the Trump group as a consequence of the American defeat in the confrontation with Iran. He called the elections "a great referendum in the United States on the outcome of the war and Americans' attitude towards the conflict with Iran."
According to the Iranian adviser, the current events mark the beginning of the next stage of the conflict.
Today we are witnessing the birth of the "Third Revolution", and the process of removing Americans from the region has accelerated significantly after their defeat against Iran, he said.
He also announced the coming of the "Fourth Revolution", which he identified with the fall of the American empire in the world. Americans have already experienced their "Hormuz moment" and this process cannot be reversed, he said.
Iran threatens the US and the Persian Gulf countries
Moqaddamfar's statements regarding Iran's future military strategy are particularly disturbing. The advisor to the IRGC commander emphasized that Tehran does not intend to limit itself to defensive actions or apply the existing principles of proportional retaliation.
According to him, Iran has already changed the way it responds to attacks and in the event of another confrontation it will not be guided by the principle of reciprocity.
Some time ago, Iran abandoned the principle of "reciprocity" and "proportionality" in responding to attacks. We will provide answers that go beyond the enemy's imagination and all geographical limitations, he warned.
He addressed a special warning to the Persian Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These are countries that could make their territory available to American forces to conduct operations against Iran.
Moqaddamfar announced that in such a case, Tehran would not limit itself to attacking military bases used by the Americans. This time we won't limit ourselves to just hitting the bases. Iran's actions will go further, and the enemy will receive a much more severe lesson, he threatened.
He also announced an unpredictable response in the event of attacks on Iranian officials or military commanders.
The Strait of Hormuz at the center of the conflict. Iran mocks Trump: It's Pinocchio
Moqaddamfar's speech focused on the military situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil transport routes in the world.
An Iranian official said U.S. warships were forced to move 400 to 500 kilometers away from the region for fear of Iranian anti-ship missiles. He presented this as evidence of the United States losing military dominance in the region.
Perhaps for the first time in history, no military fleet from outside the region dares to enter the Persian Gulf, he said.
Moqaddamfar also questioned US communications regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He called on the media to independently check the actual state of shipping safety. On this occasion, he called Donald Trump "Pinocchio", accusing him of spreading lies.
The Iranian adviser also presented his own data on American aviation losses. He stated that Iran has already shot down 56 American drones and destroyed over 42 advanced aircraft, including F-35 machines and air tankers.
According to Moqaddamfar, the losses demonstrate the weakness of the American security system and the effectiveness of the Iranian armed forces.
