Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reacted to the Democratic sweep of Congress, claiming the results reflect public opposition to conflict.
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said American voters sent a clear message against war following the Democratic victory in the 2026 US midterm elections. According to reports from Moneycontrol and BBC News, Ghalibaf stated on X that the outcome reflected public opposition to the conflict with Iran and frustration over the cost of living.
The Democrats secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, dealing a setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The election campaign was dominated by concerns regarding rising living costs, tariffs, and the war against Iran, which has pushed fuel prices higher.
President Trump acknowledged that the conflict may have contributed to the Republican performance. In interviews with Fox News and CBS News, Trump said that while people understood his approach towards Tehran, they may not have been willing to face the short-term consequences of higher gasoline prices.
Trump also expressed a willingness to work with the Democrats for the country's benefit, though he warned he could use his veto power to block legislation if they do not cooperate. He suggested the Republican defeat was also linked to his absence from the ballot.
The conflict began in February following US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and has remained largely at a stalemate. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Wednesday that it shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
