President Donald Trump’s administration is divided over whether to resume strikes on Iran, scale back military operations or seek a deal. The U.S. military is preparing for possible major combat as Qatari mediators work to prevent renewed fighting [tass.com][axios.com]. Trump said the war contributed to Republican losses in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing higher fuel prices, but said he would make the same decision again and that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon [deccanchronicle.com][balkanweb.com]. The conflict began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 and spread as Iran attacked Gulf targets and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The campaign damaged Iran’s military capabilities but did not resolve the nuclear issue; limited U.S. strikes on Iranian targets near the strait were reported on Nov. 2 [al-monitor.com][globalissues.org]. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected expectations that the election will change U.S. policy and warned of a wider response to renewed attacks [amwaj.media][news18.com]. Qatar is seeking U.S. and Iranian backing for a draft agreement that could avert renewed combat and restart direct talks in the coming days [axios.com]. Democrats take control of Congress in January 2027, when they are expected to investigate the administration and challenge its policies, though they cannot themselves compel an end to hostilities [straitstimes.com][amwaj.media]. Highlights: • Voter backlash: About six in 10 voters said the United States made the wrong decision by taking military action against Iran, according to the AP Voter Poll cited by the Deccan Chronicle [deccanchronicle.com]. • Options under discussion: Maintaining the naval blockade and sanctions, limited strikes on nuclear facilities, or broader attacks on Iranian infrastructure; analysts warned escalation could worsen energy-price pressures [ndtv.com][deccanchronicle.com]. • Lame-duck window: Analysts warned that pro-war voices could press for renewed strikes before the new Congress takes office in January [amwaj.media]. • Shipping terms: Emirates Policy Center President Ebtesam al-Ketbi said Gulf states would reject a settlement that permits Iranian tolls or political conditions on Hormuz shipping or leaves them exposed to military threats [straitstimes.com]. Perspectives: Vice President JD Vance: Vance had privately urged Trump to pursue a deal, warning that the conflict was electorally damaging [axios.com][newarab.com]. (Axios) Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei: Khamenei said concessions would encourage further U.S. demands and warned that Iran’s management of the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to remove U.S. bases from the region would expand if attacks resumed [amwaj.media]. (Amwaj.media) Ebtesam al-Ketbi, president of the Emirates Policy Center: Al-Ketbi said the election makes a settlement more urgent for Trump but not easier for Iran, and warned that Tehran could misread the results as a sign of weakened U.S. resolve [straitstimes.com]. (The Straits Times) "The reason we lost is the war" — Vice President JD Vance Sources: • Midterm losses leave Trump at a crossroads over Iran: Negotiate or strike harder - firstpost.com • Deal or escalation? Beaten in US midterms, Trump faces stark choice on Iran - straitstimes.com • No accord within US administration on next steps in Iran after congressional elections - tass.com • Analysis-Beaten at home, Trump faces stark choice on Iran: deal or escalation - al-monitor.com • To Bomb Or Not To Bomb? Trump's Limited Iran War Options After Midterms - ndtv.com • From Iran to trade: How US midterm results could reshape Washington’s global policies - firstpost.com • Iran vows wider response if US strikes; Democrats win Congress - newarab.com • Trump Weighs Iran War Strategy After Midterm Election Loss - deccanchronicle.com • Beaten at home, Trump faces stark choice on Iran: deal or escalation - japantimes.co.jp • Iran sees Trump’s midterm setback as opportunity, but not end to war - amwaj.media • After midterm defeat, Trump faces mostly bad options in Iran - axios.com • Trump Reportedly Weighs Return to Iran War as Tehran Gloats Over Midterms: President Can’t Look Weak ‘Twi - benzinga.com • Poražen kod kuće, Trump se suočava s jasnim izborom po pitanju Irana: sporazum ili eskalacija - fena.ba • US Midterm Setback: Will Trump Step Back On Iran? Russia & China Watch Closely | US Results 2026 - news18.com • Iran's Khamenei Warns US Of 'Far Bigger' Response To Fresh Attacks After Trump's Midterm Setback - news18.com • Democrats victory in US midterm may complicate Trump’s Iran policy - nation.com.pk • هزيمة الجمهوريين تضيق خيارات ترامب.. ماذا ينتظر إيران؟ - skynewsarabia.com • Iran celebrates US Trump midterm rebuke as fears grow over renewed war strikes - heraldscotland.com • طبول الحرب تُقرع مجدداً... هل يستأنف ترامب ضرباته على إيران؟ - annahar.com • Trump pranon se lufta me Iranin i kushtoi humbjen e Kongresit: Do ta bëja përsëri, nuk mund ta lejoj Teheranin të ketë armë bërthamore - balkanweb.com • Iran unveils ‘We will kill Trump’ banner – but US president may now be tempted to resume bombing - theguardian.com • U.S. Strikes Iranian Targets Along Strait of Hormuz Ahead of Midterm Elections as Diplomatic Talks Stall - globalissues.org • What Trump’s Midterm Defeat Means for Iran and Oil Prices - nytimes.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News