Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Americans had said “NO TO WAR” as projections showed Democrats winning control of both the House and Senate. In a post on X, Ghalibaf endorsed the message and warned that if the US government betrayed the public will, it would learn that “our NO comes with a Nightmare.”
Ghalibaf's statement came after projections indicated that Democrats would hold majorities in both chambers of Congress for the next two years. The Iran war has been a central issue for voters in the midterms, following US President Donald Trump's decision to launch joint strikes with Israel against the Islamic Republic in February.
The conflict has pushed up energy prices in the US, leading to cost-of-living concerns. Trump also blamed the war in part for the Republican losses, telling the Wall Street Journal that “Iran was a piece of it,” while maintaining he made the right decision. “I don't think about it. I did the right thing. I would have done it again,” he said.
Ghalibaf called the vote a choice between "conscience or the cost of living," saying Americans chose against war and that Tehran endorses this message. He added that if the US government "betrays their public will to serve international paymasters and blackmailers, it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare."
The remarks follow a statement last Saturday from Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who called on Tehran's armed forces to meet "any level or type of threat" with "an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response."
With their new majorities, Democrats might be able to push through a War Powers Resolution directing Trump to end the conflict with Iran if Congress does not authorize it. In June, the then-Republican-controlled chambers passed a non-binding concurrent resolution to end the conflict.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A foreign power has publicly interpreted a US election outcome and tied its posture to the result, creating a diplomatic challenge for the incoming Congress.
- Ghalibaf's warning signals a potential escalation if the administration pursues renewed strikes, raising the stakes for any US action.
- The election result explicitly links domestic economic pressures to foreign policy, reshaping the political debate around the conflict.
Background
The US-Iran conflict escalated dramatically in February when President Trump launched joint strikes with Israel against the Islamic Republic. The war has been a central issue in the 2026 midterm elections, contributing to rising energy prices and cost-of-living concerns that framed the election contest.
Key Perspectives
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Said US voters have rejected the war, endorsing the message and warning of a "Nightmare" if the US government disobeys the public will by serving "international paymasters."
Donald Trump: Acknowledged the Iran war contributed to Republican losses but defended his decision to launch strikes, saying he would do it again.
Democrats in Congress: Projected to control both chambers and may pursue a binding War Powers Resolution to compel an end to the conflict.
What to Watch
- Whether Democrats introduce and pass a binding War Powers Resolution in the new Congress.
- Reports from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times indicate Washington is preparing for possible renewed military actions after the midterms.
- Khamenei's order for an "immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response" to any threat sets the stage for a potentially rapid escalation cycle.