Democrats take Congress; Trump concedes Iran war cost GOP

Summary

The Democratic takeover of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterms, and Trump's admission that the Iran war was part of the Republican losses, has put Washington's Iran policy under new political limits.⁠12

The Senate Democratic leader has pledged to use the incoming majority to curb Trump's ability to wage war with Iran.⁠3

Tehran has rejected any shift in US policy: Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called expectations of change misguided and warned that the conflict could widen if US strikes resume.⁠4

Oil prices fell more than 9% as JD Vance blamed the Iran war for the Republican defeat, raising hopes of a US-Iran deal.⁠5

In Africa, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak had infected 10,000 people in four countries by late October, and half of them had died.⁠6

In Spain, Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned six days after a high-speed train crash killed 69 people.⁠7

Trump has said he is weighing new strikes on Iran after the vote, so his decision on resumed military action is the next point to watch in Washington's Iran policy.⁠8