World reacts as Democrats take control of both chambers of US Congress

Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress in the United States midterm elections, triggering immediate reaction from foreign leaders and officials who are watching for possible changes in Washington. The result is being described as a major rebuke of President Donald Trump and his Republican Party. It also raises questions about how the new balance of power could affect US policy on Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war and trade.

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Iranian officials were among the first to respond, framing the result as a rejection of conflict. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament and chief negotiator in talks with the United States, said voters had sent a message of "no to war" and said his side endorsed that message. He warned that if the US government ignored public will, it would learn that Iran's rejection of pressure comes with consequences.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said partisan shifts in Washington would not change what he called US hostility toward Tehran. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, he argued that anyone hoping party changes alone could alter US behaviour was mistaken. Trump, meanwhile, said the US-Israel war on Iran likely hurt his party's performance and suggested voters were not ready for the short-term impact on gasoline prices.

The result matters because it could reshape the political environment around several of the world's most sensitive disputes. A Congress controlled by Democrats may complicate Trump's ability to advance his foreign policy agenda, especially on Iran and on support for Ukraine. It also comes at a time when trade relations are already under close scrutiny, adding another layer of uncertainty for governments and markets.

Outside Iran, the vote is being read as a signal about the direction of US policy and the strength of Trump's domestic position. Israeli opposition figure Yair Golan said the result showed how toxic Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had become among Democrats and Republicans alike. He warned that if Netanyahu's far-right government remained in power, Israel could face international sanctions, global isolation and a confrontation with the United States.

There was no immediate public reaction from Netanyahu, who is a Trump ally. The absence of a response is notable because the election result comes as Israel's own political scene remains unsettled after its parliament lost a majority in elections last week. That overlap has added to the sense that the US vote could have wider diplomatic consequences beyond Washington.

The broader significance lies in the way foreign governments are reading the result as more than a domestic political shift. For Iran, it is being presented as evidence that American voters oppose war. For others, it is a possible sign that the White House and Congress may move in different directions on sanctions, military support and negotiations.

Those questions are especially important because the election result was described by observers as a sharp reversal for Trump. What remains unclear is how quickly the new congressional balance will translate into policy changes, and whether foreign leaders' early interpretations will prove accurate. It is also not yet clear how the result will affect ongoing tensions over Iran, the war in Ukraine or trade talks.

The next developments to watch are the first signals from congressional leaders, the White House and key foreign capitals as they adjust to the new political reality in Washington.

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