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November 5, 2026

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An aerial view shows a campaign billboard depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party and President Donald Trump in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 26, 2026, on the eve of Israel's legislative elections.

Explainer

Democrats’ midterm sweep tests US-Israel ties as Eisenkot vows reset

Political sources describe the Democrats' midterm victory as a political blow to both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranians walk along a building installed with a giant poster depicting Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally in front of the former US embassy to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in Tehran on Nov. 4, 2026.

Analysis

Iran cheers Democrats’ midterm victory but fears Trump's next move

The Democratic win was a victory Tehran had been waiting to claim and project as evidence that Trump's confrontation with Iran has backfired.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

The sun sets on the US Capitol on Election Day evening on Nov. 3, 2026 in Washington.

From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Democrats’ midterm triumph sparks Middle East reactions

Iranian officials responded gleefully to the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the Senate and House, while regional media highlighted Abdul El-Sayed’s election as the first Muslim American senator.

RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

War, oil, AI: What US midterms could mean for Middle East economies

Governments across the Middle East will be watching closely after the election amid fears the US-Israel-Iran war could spiral into a new cycle of violence.

Latest News

Iran executes two men in case tied to January protests: What to know

A police officer monitors traffic as he stands under portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, on Oct. 21, 2026.

Analysis

'All we can do is wait': Netanyahu's push for Iran strikes hangs on Trump’s post-midterm call

Evan Vucci/Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Iran gives 2-day window for Hormuz deal as US mulls strikes: What to know

Iranian motorists drive past a poster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in central Tehran on Nov. 1, 2026. I

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Diplomatic Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Rahim Rahimov

In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties

Mehrnaz Samimi

In Washington, DC, reporting on Iranian culture

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer (R) shakes hands with U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber in Washington, March 3, 2015. Dermer was a key figure in arranging Netanyahu's visit to Washington and his speech before Congress. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES) - RTR4RX8E

Can Netanyahu get Congress to reject nuke deal?

The United States and Israel are close allies, but the battle over the nuclear deal is getting fiercer by the moment.

Iran MPs: Hamas visit to Saudi Arabia a 'mistake'

While Iran has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian group Hamas, a trip by its leaders to Saudi Arabia has drawn warnings from Iranian politicians.

Israeli media drowns out pro-Iran-deal voices

Israeli politicians condemning the agreement with Iran have monopolized the conversation in Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speak at the Zakovkzalny War Memorial in Sochi, Russia May 12, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RTX1CKET

How US, Russia could solve Syria

The successful cooperation between the United State and Russia throughout the Iran nuclear negotiations could bode well for a new plan for Syria.

Deputy Defense Minister Ephriam Sneh in front of a large map of the West Bank during a press conference March 19 at which he announced the Israeli cabinet decision to go ahead with a further redeployment from 6.1% of West Bank land to be handed over to full Palestinian Authority. control. The dark brown areas show areas to be included in the redeployment in the northern part of the West Bank. The Palestinians will control 60% of their population but only a bit less than 20% of the West Bank land after the 6

I'm no fan of Bibi but I see a bad deal, says former Labor minister

In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh argues that the deal with Iran is dangerous to Israel, because it will strengthen Hezbollah and Hamas, while allowing Iran to enlarge its regional hegemony.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards commander General Mohammad Ali Jafari (R) chats with the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Fereydoun Abbasi Davani (L) during a ceremony in Tehran on September 6, 2011. Abbasi Davani said on Monday that Iran is ready to give the International Atomic Energy Agency "full supervision" of its nuclear programme for five years if UN sanctions are lifted. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Revolutionary Guard leader slams US, criticizes deal

The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in an interview that there were problems with the draft resolution passed today by the United Nations Security Council.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias attend a joint news conference in Athens May 28, 2015. Zarif said on Thursday he hoped Tehran and world powers would reach a final nuclear deal "within a reasonable period of time" but this would be hard if the other side stuck to what he called excessive demands. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis - RTX1EXFK

How Turkey really feels about the Iran deal

Although Turkey seems to be happy with the Iran nuclear deal, it is hard to say that politically Turkey would be delighted seeing Iran emerging as a regional power and an international actor.

Obama calls for 'practical conversation' between Iran, Arab states

US President Barack Obama tells Arab Gulf allies to “stop giving Iran opportunities for mischief”; Zarif says Iran “ready to engage” with Arab countries; Netanyahu weighs political costs of Iran deal.

Kerry begins Iran deal sales push on Capitol Hill

A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 20.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran.

The sun sets as a labourer works on the grounds of Tehran's Milad Tower October 19, 2010. Picture taken October 19. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN - Tags: CITYSCAPE EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS) - RTXTMW5

Preventing Iran's post-sanctions job crisis

With the expected lifting of economic sanctions against Iran, the government will need to formulate a set of policies to protect local industry while also taking into account the return of foreign businesses.

A Russian surface-to-air missile system S-300 PMU2 Favorit rolls during a rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade in Alabino, outside Moscow, on April 18, 2012. The parade will take place on the Red Square in Moscow on May 9 to commemorate the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)

Russia looks for new regional footing post-Iran deal

Beyond diplomatic niceties, real challenges and opportunities await Moscow, as the Iran deal is not the culmination but rather the beginning of some serious and complicated work.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliver joint statements to the media in Jerusalem July 16, 2015. REUTERS/Debbie Hill/Pool - RTX1KKOC

Netanyahu rejects US offer of military support; IDF says not so fast

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects again the US offer for a security-compensation package, unlike the IDF that is taking the agreement as a done deal and wishes to cooperate closely with the United States on security follow-up.