Asian Leaders Privately Welcome U.S. Midterm Shift on Iran War

Asian leaders are privately relieved by the Democratic Party's sweeping midterm victory, hoping it will make U.S. foreign policy more predictable, particularly regarding the Iran war, though they have remained publicly silent on the results. The Iran conflict has strained U.S.-Asia relations and disrupted energy markets, as Asia relies heavily on Persian Gulf oil. Allies hope Congress will pressure President Trump to wind down the war and potentially remove Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a war proponent facing bipartisan criticism. Beyond Iran, Asian officials expect Congress to push a tougher line on China and tariffs, while noting strong bipartisan support for Taiwan arms sales. However, Trump's unpredictability remains a concern, with his upcoming ASEAN summit visit in Manila seen as a key test of whether these hopes materialize.