Iran Mocks Trump After Republican Midterm Loss

Iran mocked President Donald Trump and the Republican Party after their decisive loss in the U.S. midterm elections, with officials claiming the Iranian people delivered Trump a political defeat. Trump acknowledged the war with Iran was a major factor in the voter backlash. The war began eight months ago following U.S. and Israeli attacks. Voters angered by rising diesel and consumer goods prices stripped Republicans of their majorities in both chambers of Congress. Iranian officials celebrated the results, with security chief Mohsen Rezaei posting that Iranians caused Trump's strategic defeat on the battlefield and the Strait of Hormuz, and his political defeat in Washington. Tehran protesters chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" while displaying banners declaring Iranians set gasoline prices. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has spiked oil prices, raising living costs. Trump defended the military campaign, saying he could not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, though the election results may constrain his ability to implement policy.