There is no doubt that U.S. President Donald Trump’s position has changed following the midterm elections, particularly after the Democratic Party took control of Congress.
Trump faces three difficult options: resuming strikes on Iranian targets, returning to negotiations, or maintaining a state of neither war nor peace. All three options come with significant obstacles.
Resuming the war could increase pressure on Trump and his party, particularly after he partially acknowledged the conflict’s impact on voters’ decisions, amid growing calls from some Republicans to bring it to an end.
Returning to negotiations, despite continued Qatari mediation efforts, also faces challenges as Iran remains committed to its conditions.
The option of “neither war nor agreement” could pose a risk, as it would mean maintaining the status quo, including keeping oil prices at their current levels.
Nevertheless, Trump may choose to continue this policy, amid calls from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and other advisers to give the naval blockade and economic pressure campaign more time to tighten the screws on Iran.
On the other hand, some Iranian officials’ celebration of the Republicans’ defeat may not serve Tehran’s interests and could even push Trump toward returning to the military option.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei wrote on Wednesday on the social media platform X: “The Iranian nation inflicted a strategic defeat on Trump on the battlefield and in the Strait of Hormuz, and a political defeat in Washington. Meanwhile, Americans found themselves paying the price for his war.”
According to Axios, diplomats involved in mediation efforts, Trump’s advisers, and Middle East experts believe that Iran’s boasting could prompt the U.S. president to resume military operations.
Ali Vaez, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the International Crisis Group, said Tehran could mistakenly interpret Trump’s political weakness as military weakness and overstate its strength. He added that the wiser course would be to seize the opportunity to reach an agreement while Washington remains willing to do so.
At the same time, U.S. officials confirmed that the military is completing preparations for the possible resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran, including deploying additional military capabilities to the region.
Qatari mediators are continuing their efforts to secure U.S. and Iranian approval of a draft agreement aimed at preventing renewed fighting and potentially resuming direct talks in the coming days.
According to informed sources, mediators asked White House officials before the elections what steps Trump would take if he lost. However, his advisers provided no clear answer. A U.S. official said: “We told everyone that we first wanted to see how the elections would go for us.”
United News Network – UNN Arabic
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Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: November 5, 2026.
Updated: November 2026.
