"Those expecting a change in US policy are making a serious mistake" — Mojtaba Khamenei
Iran's supreme leader said that Washington's hostile attitude toward the Islamic Republic would persist following the defeat of Donald Trump's party in the U.S. midterm elections. He stated that peace cannot be achieved by making concessions to the Americans.
“Those expecting a change in US policy are seriously mistaken” — Mojtaba Khamenei
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said that anyone expecting a change in US policy is seriously mistaken. He made this statement on November 4, a few hours after President Donald Trump's party suffered a defeat in the US midterm elections.
“Those who hope that the US hegemony system will change with party or factional changes are seriously mistaken. Likewise, those who think that by making concessions to the United States, it can be deterred from hostility toward the Iranian people are also mistaken,” said a statement published on Khamenei's website.
In the midterm elections held on November 3, the Democrats gained control over the US Congress. This situation reflected public dissatisfaction with the war with Iran, which had led to an increase in the cost of living, tariffs, and a sharp rise in fuel prices.
Khamenei's remarks came as diplomatic efforts were underway to prevent a reigniting of war in the Middle East. US and Israeli leaders had been hinting in recent days at resuming strikes against Iran.
“If such aggressions are repeated, the scope of the war will expand significantly,” said Khamenei, who has not yet appeared in public since coming to power in March.
Earlier, Iran's chief negotiator in talks with the US, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said that Americans had voted against the war.
“Whether out of conscience or due to the cost of living, the Americans said 'no' to war, and we support this message,” he wrote on his X page.
“If the American government betrays the will of its public to serve international sponsors and extortionists, let them know that our response in the negative will come with a nightmare,” Ghalibaf added.
The head of the Iranian judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, also welcomed the election results, stating that Trump was defeated both militarily and politically.
“We, of course, will subject him to even more defeats,” he added.
The 57-year-old Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in US and Israeli strikes at the beginning of the war. The new leader has since communicated only through written addresses.