Khamenei: US midterm results will not change Washington's stance toward Iran

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the US midterm elections will not alter Washington's position toward Tehran and reaffirmed the "strongest Iran" deterrence strategy.

• Khamenei said anyone who believes the American midterm results will change US behavior, or that concessions would ease Washington's hostility, is "completely deluded."
• He said pursuing the "strongest Iran" strategy is the only path to absolute deterrence, warning that concessions would encourage the US to continue pressure and wage new wars.
• He described Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and elimination of US bases in the region as a response to US aggression and an "initiatory jihad."
• Khamenei has not appeared publicly since late February, when he took office after his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, was killed in US-Israeli strikes.