Trump's Setback: How Iran, Russia and Europe Reacted to Republican Defeat

The defeat of the Republican Party in the United States mid-term elections triggered mixed reactions around the world. CBS News captured some of these responses, particularly from Iran, Russia and Europe, in a report titled "Trump's Setback," focusing on the implications of these results for foreign policy and international conflict trajectories.

Iranian Position
A statement attributed to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei today, Wednesday, clarified that Tehran does not expect the US election results to change Washington's approach after more than eight months of its war with Iran.

Khamenei said: "If there are still people who harbor even the slightest hope for a change in behavior, or for partisan and factional shifts within the hegemonic system, or believe that making concessions to America can deter it from hostility toward the Iranian nation, they are completely deluded."

For his part, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, stated that the results reflect Americans' rejection of war with his country, adding in a post on the X platform: "Americans said no to war, and we support this message," pointing to rising living costs or conscience as possible reasons for the wide losses suffered by Republicans.

Russian Position
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that US President Donald Trump would remain able to continue his peace-making efforts.

Sergey Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, noted that Moscow has always faced tensions in its dealings with Democrats, explaining that the fundamental approach of this American party towards relations with Russia is extremely negative.

Ryabkov confirmed that Russia's foreign policy will not be affected by the election results, and its position regarding Ukraine in particular will not change.

No immediate reaction was issued by the Ukrainian government regarding the US election results.

European Position
Vice-President of the European Parliament Christel Schaldemose described the election results as "wild" in a post on the X platform. The European official said: "Not because everything will change for the better now, but because it may serve the interests of supporting Ukraine, the green transition, and relations with the rest of the world."

She added that the European Union must continue its path of strengthening its power and self-reliance, which is non-negotiable.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed the results, noting in a post on the X platform that Americans voted against policies that bring only impoverishment, against hatred, and against gender discrimination.

Sanchez, who will face his country's voters in the November 29 elections, described the US results as further evidence of the crumbling global right-wing populist wave, affirming his belief that a similar result will be achieved in Spain.

He continued: "It happened in Brazil, it just happened in the United States, and it will soon happen in Spain."