Iran’s Ghalibaf says Americans have rejected war against Tehran

TEHRAN: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has welcomed the outcome of the US midterm elections, claiming that American voters have rejected war against Iran and sent a clear message against military confrontation.

Reacting to the American election results, Ghalibaf said US citizens had effectively said no to war, whether driven by their conscience or growing economic pressures caused by rising living costs.

In a statement, the Iranian parliamentary speaker said Tehran supported the message delivered by American voters, presenting the election developments as an indication of public opposition to the conflict.

“Whether it is the voice of conscience or the rising cost of living, Americans have said no to war, and we support this message,” Ghalibaf said.

His remarks came as the Republican Party faced significant setbacks in the 2026 US midterm elections, with Democrats making major gains across several states and moving closer to securing control of both chambers of Congress.

The election results have also intensified debate in Washington over the economic and political consequences of the Iran conflict, particularly rising fuel prices and the financial pressure on American households.

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the Iran conflict was among the factors contributing to the Republicans’ disappointing electoral performance. He suggested that voters might not have been prepared to accept the short-term economic consequences of the confrontation, including higher petrol prices.

Ghalibaf also issued a warning to the US administration, arguing that any decision to disregard the wishes of American citizens in favour of what he described as international powers and blackmailers would carry serious consequences.

He warned that Iran’s rejection of such pressure would bring what he described as a “nightmare” for those attempting to impose their demands on Tehran.

The Iranian speaker’s statement reflects Tehran’s effort to portray the American election results as a rejection of Washington’s confrontational approach towards Iran.

However, the election outcome alone does not establish that opposition to the Iran conflict was the decisive factor behind voters’ choices.

With political tensions between Washington and Tehran continuing, Ghalibaf’s remarks add another dimension to the growing diplomatic debate over the future of US-Iran relations and the economic costs of military confrontation.