Iran Sees Little Change in U.S. Policy After Democrats’ Election Win

Khamenei’s statement came as Iranian and U.S. negotiators engaged in indirect talks, mediated mainly by Qatar and Pakistan, to end the military conflict. Trump has not ruled out renewed strikes, saying the United States still had to “take care of” one or two more targets, including a suspected nuclear site.

Jalal Rashidikoochi, a reformist former Iranian lawmaker, said he saw little difference between Democrats and Republicans. He called the election a “historic and humiliating” rejection of those who pushed for war against Iran and urged new members of the House and Senate to heed voters’ message. Other Iranian officials celebrated the results, crediting resistance and Iranian fighters, but those statements do not necessarily indicate how the leadership will act. Trump remains in office until January 2029 and retains powerful foreign-policy tools.

Tehran weighs a tougher stance or waiting out Trump

Hamidreza Azizi, a senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group in Brussels, told RFE/RL he expected the election to harden Iran’s position. Tehran’s core demands, he said, include Washington lifting sanctions and the blockade first, and any agreement avoiding major nuclear concessions. Azizi warned that this approach could increase the risk of another clash if Trump sought to offset his domestic setback with a foreign-policy victory.

Damon Golriz, a lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, said Iran might instead avoid major concessions and wait for a future U.S. administration. He cited the 2015 nuclear deal under President Barack Obama and what he described as serious diplomatic engagement under former President Joe Biden as examples of a different Washington environment. Golriz expects continued volatility and said military strikes cannot settle disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. A lasting agreement, he argued, would require secret, direct, sustained, long-term and serious negotiations.

Azizi said the stakes remain high and the outcome depends largely on Trump’s assessment of his position, the Republican Party’s prospects and domestic pressures.