US President Donald Trump has recently threatened to resume military action against Iran, echoing similar remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump’s Republican Party suffered a major setback in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with Democrats set to take control of Congress. The results could restrict the president’s ability to advance his domestic agenda, although he retains the authority to order military strikes.
In a written statement issued on Wednesday, Khamenei said those expecting a change in US policy following shifts within American political parties were mistaken.
He also rejected the idea that making concessions to Washington could persuade it to abandon its hostile approach towards Iran.
Khamenei warned that any further US military action would widen the scope of the conflict but did not provide further details.
The Iranian leader has not appeared in public since taking power in March following the killing of his father and predecessor in US-Israeli strikes. He has since communicated through written statements.
Iran says Americans voted against war
Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the United States, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also commented on the midterm election results, saying American voters had rejected the war.
“Conscience or the cost of living, Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message,” he wrote on X.
He warned that if the US government ignored public opinion, Iran would respond.
Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei also welcomed the election results, claiming Trump had been defeated both militarily and politically.
The war has become unpopular among sections of the American public as rising energy prices have increased the cost of living.
Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the conflict may have contributed to his party’s electoral losses.
“I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, people understood the importance of what I've done,” he told Fox News.
US strikes Qeshm Island
The United States carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Iranian state media reported five explosions in quick succession.
Trump said the US had targeted an anti-aircraft facility shortly after its completion, describing the operation as a “minor attack”.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a US MQ-1 drone had been intercepted and destroyed over the island. The US military had not confirmed the claim.
Earlier this week, Trump said he still needed to deal with one or two targets in Iran, including the so-called Pickaxe Mountain site in central Iran, which is suspected of being linked to the country’s nuclear programme. Tehran denies that the site is a nuclear facility.
However, Trump told the Financial Times on Tuesday that a full-scale return to war might not be necessary.
“We seem to be getting everything we want,” he said, adding that the US was prepared for further military action if required.
Diplomatic efforts continue
The latest statements come as international mediators continue efforts to prevent a resumption of fighting.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that his government remained committed to resolving the crisis through dialogue.
He also said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had granted the government new powers to negotiate on issues that were previously off-limits.
Qatar, which has been involved in mediation efforts, said it remained hopeful of securing an interim agreement.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari told reporters that both sides were reviewing proposals presented by mediators.
China also said on Wednesday that preventing a return to hostilities was a key priority in its diplomatic engagement with the countries involved.
The conflict began in February when the United States and Israel launched a large-scale wave of strikes against Iran. Fighting has since remained largely at a stalemate, while Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened wide-ranging retaliation if Washington resumes its military campaign.
