All eyes on what happens next in Iran as US midterms come to a close

Good afternoon, ladies and gents. As we hit “send” on today’s issue, the US is edging towards the final counts in its 2026 midterm elections. Everyone in our neck of the woods will be watching to see what the outcome means for us, and more specifically, the US’ war with Iran.

Democrats have flipped both the House and the Senate. They needed four Senate seats and have taken seven, according to Bloomberg’s count, including upsets in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Kansas. We’re still waiting for the final call in Michigan, but it’s looking almost certain that Abdul El Sayyed is beating Mike Rogers.

A critical point in the voting direction: About 60% of exit-poll respondents said the US made the wrong decision in attacking Iran. US President Donald Trump has been flip-flopping on what Washington will do once the elections are over, saying in early September that “the war is going to end immediately after the election,” before saying late last month that “most people seem to think it’s after the election, and we’re going to see what happens. The New York Times reported on 28 October that US and Israeli planners have options for a short but intensive campaign against energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities and missile and drone capabilities, and US officials have privately warned regional partners to prepare for renewed strikes and Iranian retaliation while stressing that no final decision has been taken.

Iran, meanwhile, has said the two countries are still a ways away from reaching an agreement to end their war, Reuters reports, citing an unnamed Iranian official. –Salma