Iran's midterm message to the US: The people said 'no to war'

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf framed the Democratic Party’s projected Senate majority in the U.S. midterm elections as a public rejection of war, saying the American people had “said no to war.” His remarks came as vote counting continued in tightly contested races that will shape the balance of power in Congress. The comment signals Tehran’s interest in a less confrontational U.S. posture as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions remain stalled. Ghalibaf, a senior figure in Iran’s conservative establishment, used the result to argue that Washington’s military-first approach lacks popular backing. What to watch next: whether the new Congress shifts debate on Iran policy, sanctions relief and military authorization.