Iran's speaker interprets US midterms as 'rejection of war'

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, framed the Democratic sweep of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the midterm elections as American voters’ rejection of war, saying “whether driven by conscience or the cost of living, Americans said they oppose war” and that Iran endorses that message, according to the AP. He warned Washington would face a “nightmare” if it defied the voters’ will. The AP called both the Senate and House for the Democrats following the Nov. 3 elections, a projection distinct from states’ final certified results. Vice President JD Vance also weighed in on X. The reaction matters because it signals Tehran may read a divided Washington as less likely to pursue military confrontation, shaping expectations for nuclear diplomacy and sanctions. What to watch next is whether the incoming Democratic majorities translate into concrete shifts in Iran policy, and how the White House responds to Qalibaf’s warning.