Iran Backs US Voters Message Against War After Midterm Defeat

Iran has seized on growing American opposition to the war after President Donald Trump's Republican Party suffered significant losses in the 2026 midterm elections. Iran's chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, backed the American public's position, while tensions between Washington and Tehran continued around the Strait of Hormuz.

Ghalibaf framed the election results as evidence that American voters opposed military conflict with Iran. He expressed support for their message in a statement published on X.

"We endorse this message," said Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker.

He also warned the US government against ignoring public opposition to the conflict and prioritizing outside interests.

"If the US [government] betrays their public will to serve international paymasters and blackmailers, it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare," warned Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker.

Trump acknowledged that the war and rising gasoline prices had contributed to Republican losses. However, he maintained that he did not regret launching the joint military attack with Israel against Iran in February.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump discussed the conflict's influence on the election results.

"I think a part of it was Iran," said Donald Trump, US president.

He also acknowledged that voters faced economic consequences from the conflict, particularly higher fuel costs.

"People agree with what I'm doing on Iran but they really probably weren't willing to do the short term consequences of paying more for gasoline - I understand that," said Donald Trump, US president.

In a separate interview with CBS News, Trump's US news partner for the BBC, the president maintained that he would determine when the military conflict ended.

"when I say it ends," said Donald Trump, US president.

Trump had also discussed the conflict with the Financial Times before the midterm elections. He suggested he was satisfied with its progress and did not regard the situation as a conventional war.

"really in a war," said Donald Trump, US president.

The Financial Times also described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements about a possible attack on Iran that week as "strong hints." Trump responded by indicating that American and Israeli forces remained prepared for further military action.

"locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no need for it," said Donald Trump, US president.

In recent weeks, Trump has warned that Washington and Israel could resume full-scale military operations after the midterms if negotiations with Tehran fail to produce an agreement.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, has maintained that his administration is pursuing a diplomatic solution. He made the position clear while discussing the possibility of renewed hostilities.

"through dialogue," said Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's president.

He also warned that renewed fighting would have consequences for both sides and emphasized the government's authority to negotiate previously restricted issues.

"No-one will benefit from this war," warned Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's president.

Pezeshkian also referred to authority granted by Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, allowing the government to negotiate matters previously considered outside the scope of discussions.

"issues that he had previously considered off-limits," said Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's president.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqai said the current indirect negotiations, mediated by Qatar, were based on a seven-step proposal submitted by Tehran in September. He explained that the proposal had since been revised to accelerate implementation.

"condensed, making it possible to implement it within two days," said Esmaeil Baqai, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Despite diplomatic efforts, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz remained a major concern. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said four oil tankers caught fire after striking naval sea mines on Wednesday.

According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the IRGC reported that two vessels were still burning. It also claimed that two additional tankers had been intercepted while attempting to use a prohibited southern route through the strait.

The BBC said it could not independently verify the IRGC's claims. Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that a tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred approximately 14 nautical miles (26km) northeast of Limah, on Oman's Musandam peninsula. UKMTO reported no casualties.

Another maritime incident occurred on Monday when an Indian crew member aboard a wooden sailing vessel, known as a dhow, was killed in an attack northeast of Limah. Omani authorities rescued 13 other crew members.

The IRGC also claimed on Wednesday that its forces had shot down another American MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz. It had made a similar claim on Monday night.

US officials previously said American forces had conducted limited strikes against Iran's Qeshm Island in response to IRGC fire directed at a US aircraft.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international shipping corridor, normally carrying approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments. Its operations were severely disrupted following the outbreak of the Iran war, amid Iranian missile and drone attacks against commercial vessels and a US naval blockade.

Washington and Tehran reached a preliminary agreement in June to end the conflict and reopen the waterway. However, the arrangement collapsed within weeks after attacks on shipping resumed and the United States reinstated its blockade.

Iran has maintained that it must retain some control over the strategic waterway. Tehran subsequently targeted vessels using a southern route through Omani waters, while the US military provided protection for tankers transporting oil from Gulf Arab states.