Iranian leaders welcome US midterms, but Trump may still attack

What happened: Iranian officials framed Republican midterm defeats as a rejection of war on Iran, while analysts said Tehran may harden its demands and Trump could still order strikes. Key numbers: War started February 28; Iran set seven conditions for partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; blockade and pressure affect 90 million Iranians. Why it matters: Chatham House's Sanam Vakil said the defeat raises pressure to end the war but does not rule out further strikes, and Crisis Group's Hamidreza Azizi said Iranian concessions on the nuclear issue may become less likely.

Iranian officials framed Republican midterm defeats as a rejection of war on Iran, while analysts said Tehran may harden its demands and Trump could still order strikes.

Chatham House's Sanam Vakil said the defeat raises pressure to end the war but does not rule out further strikes, and Crisis Group's Hamidreza Azizi said Iranian concessions on the nuclear issue may become less likely.