Iran’s Supreme Leader threatens to ‘inflict further defeat on Trump’ after US midterms

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that the outcome of the United States midterm elections will not change Washington’s hostile approach towards Tehran, as tensions between both countries remain high.

Khamenei said those expecting a change in US policy following the elections were mistaken, insisting that political developments in Washington would not end what he described as hostility towards Iran.

He made the remarks on Wednesday in a written statement published on his official website, hours after the midterm elections dealt a setback to President Donald Trump.

“Those who still harbour even the slightest hope that the behaviour of the hegemonic system might change through partisan or factional shifts, or who imagine that making concessions to the United States can dissuade it from hostility towards the Iranian nation, are seriously mistaken,” he said.

Democrats secured control of the US Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, amid voter concerns over the cost of living, tariffs and the war against Iran, which has contributed to rising fuel prices.

Khamenei’s statement came as diplomatic efforts continued to prevent a resumption of hostilities following the war that began on February 28.

The Iranian leader also warned that any fresh attacks by the United States and Israel would trigger a wider conflict.

“Should such aggressions be repeated, the war’s scope will become much wider,” he said.

Meanwhile, Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the United States, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, interpreted the election results as a rejection of Trump’s war policy.

“Conscience or the cost of living, Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.

He warned that Washington would face consequences if the government ignored the position expressed by voters.

“If the US govt betrays their public will to serve international paymasters and blackmailers, it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare,” he added.

Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, also reacted to the election outcome, claiming that Trump had suffered defeats both on the battlefield and politically.

“Trump has been defeated both militarily and politically,” he said, adding, “We will certainly inflict further defeats on him.”

Khamenei, 57, became Iran’s supreme leader in March after US and Israeli strikes at the beginning of the war killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since assuming the position, the new leader has communicated with the public through written statements and has yet to make a public appearance.