Iranian Leaders Welcome U.S. Election Setback for Trump Amid Regional Tensions

Iranian officials expressed renewed confidence Wednesday following a significant election setback for U.S. President Donald Trump, while global leaders monitored whether Washington would move to end the conflict with Iran.

Elsewhere, Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have struck an airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In Lebanon, the Israeli military reported striking two suspects, resulting in one fatality.

Celebrations erupted across Iran after American voters—motivated by concerns over the war and surging fuel costs—delivered control of Congress to Democrats in Tuesday’s election, dealing a substantial blow to Trump and the Republican Party.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, posted on X on Wednesday: “Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message.” He added that if the U.S. administration disregards the mandate for change, “it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare.”

Nevertheless, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected any notion that Washington would alter its stance toward the Islamic Republic.

Regional capitals have remained tense for weeks over the possibility of renewed full-scale U.S. military action against Iran, with diplomatic efforts continuing to avert further hostilities.

Highlighting enduring animosity, thousands participated in a state-organized march through Tehran on Wednesday marking the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy.

Pro-government demonstrators burned American and Israeli flags while chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

In Yemen, Houthi rebels asserted without evidence that they had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and multiple locations in southern Saudi Arabia.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that fighters launched a ballistic missile at the airport, allegedly inflicting “major damages.” He further claimed the group deployed a drone against a radar facility and a ballistic missile at a command center in Jazan province.

The Associated Press was unable to independently verify these assertions, and Saudi Arabia’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Saudi civil defense authorities issued alerts for Riyadh overnight, followed by warnings of potential “danger” in Jazan and Najran early Wednesday.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked oil and logistics infrastructure and airports across Saudi Arabia as part of their campaign against what they characterize as the kingdom’s blockade of Yemen.

In Lebanon, the Health Ministry reported that a strike on a motorcycle in Qabrikha killed one person and injured another.

The Israeli military said it struck “two suspects who were observing IDF soldiers,” providing no additional details.

The incident marked the first such strike in nearly a month, with drone attacks remaining uncommon since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in late June concluded the most recent Israel-Hezbollah war.

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