Posts of Inter Bellum News — IBN

— 🇺🇸 Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's US midterm elections, flipping at least seven Republican-held Senate seats, including Texas and Maine. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Governor Greg Abbott, the party's first win in a Texas governor's race in more than three decades. President Donald Trump said Democrats "did a good job" and blamed Republican candidates, writing that Abbott lost because he had become a "RINO". Trump told Fox News "I think a part of it was Iran," but also said: "I don't think it's the war, Bret, I think it's the gasoline price." About two-thirds of voters said Trump's policies had worsened US economic conditions, according to the AP Voter Poll. Trump said he accepts the results and vowed to veto Democratic bills he called "insane." Read the full story here. @interbellumnews

— 🇾🇪/🇸🇦 NEW: Houthi (Ansarallah) forces say they carried out three military operations this morning targeting Saudi military sites in Jizan and Najran. The group said a drone struck a radar site on the Al-Qahmah peninsula north of Jizan, while a ballistic missile targeted a military camp in Najran. A second ballistic missile allegedly struck a Border Guard command-and-control center in Jizan, with Houthi (Ansarallah) forces claiming casualties among Saudi soldiers and officers. @interbellumnews

— 🇾🇪/🇸🇦 NEW: Houthi (Ansarallah) forces say they shot down a Saudi-operated Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance drone over Taiz province early today. The group claimed the aircraft was conducting hostile activity and said it was the 10th Wing Loong II downed since the latest escalation began. @interbellumnews

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— 🇮🇱 NEW: Increased Israeli military air activity is being observed from Ramat David Airbase, with three F-16s, several Heron drones and multiple helicopters airborne and tracking eastward. Their exact destination remains unclear. @interbellumnews

— 🇹🇷 NEW: The Turkish lira has fallen to a new record low of around 50 to the U.S. dollar as inflation remains elevated. Turkey’s annual inflation rate stood at 29.77% in October, while consumer prices have risen 27.52% since the start of the year. Some analysts expect further pressure on the currency, with forecasts pointing to a possible move toward 55 lira per dollar. @interbellumnews

— 🇬🇧/🇺🇦 NEW: The United Kingdom has apologized to Ukrainian refugee schoolchildren who were required to study Russian because no Ukrainian-language GCSE examination was available. British schools had offered Russian as the available language qualification for affected Ukrainian pupils. The government now plans to develop a Ukrainian-language GCSE program for introduction in 2028, with £340,000 allocated to the project. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇷/🇺🇸 NEW: Iran’s Supreme Leader has used the country’s November 4 “National Day of the Fight Against Global Arrogance” to sharply reject concessions to Washington and call for continued military, political and economic strengthening. In a lengthy statement, he accused the United States of decades of hostility toward Iran, citing the 1953 coup, sanctions, support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, the killing of Qassem Soleimani and more recent military confrontations. “The wish of the ‘Great Satan’ is the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people.” “The slightest inclination toward submission to the dominant enemy will squander a great asset gained through the blood of martyrs and the sacrifices of society, and will embolden the enemy to seek further gains, wars and aggression.” “The only way to achieve absolute deterrence is to continue the strategy of ‘Iran must be stronger’ on the path of all-round progress.” “The actions taken by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, and the destruction of U.S. military bases in regional countries, were a response to the aggression and crimes of the United States... if the transgressions are repeated, this will take on a much larger scale.” The statement also called for internal unity, stronger social cohesion and continued investment in Iran’s youth, scientific capabilities and national resilience. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸 Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, ending Republican control of Capitol Hill and changing the balance of power for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. Democratic gains extended into several traditionally Republican states, including Texas, Kansas and Iowa, while the party also captured multiple governorships. In Texas, Democrats won both the governorship and a U.S. Senate seat, one of the night’s most consequential state-level shifts. Economic concerns, dissatisfaction with Washington and attitudes toward Trump all featured prominently in voter surveys. Some races remain subject to continuing counts and certification, but control of both the House and Senate has been decided. Read the full story here. @interbellumnews

— 🇩🇪/🇺🇸 NEW: German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has congratulated Democrats on a “historic victory” in Congress, noting the US administration will remain the same and Berlin will continue to cooperate with it in a spirit of trust. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇷/🇺🇸 NEW: Iran Embassy in India mocks Trump in new AI clip, following early midterms results Dumps Trump into a “Hazardous Waste” bin @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸 NEW: Nevada has elected Democrat Attorney General Aaron Ford as governor, unseating Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, AP reports. @interbellumnews

— 🇨🇳/🇺🇸 NEW: China says it is “willing to continue working” with the US following midterm elections that saw Republicans lose control of both chambers of Congress. @interbellumnews

— A Recap of Recent Key Developments — 🇺🇸 Democrats have secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, ending Republican control of Congress in a major electoral setback for President Donald Trump. — 🇺🇸 Vote counting continues in several closely contested races following Tuesday’s midterm elections, which saw all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and governorships in 36 states on the ballot. — 🇺🇸 Democratic Senate candidates have overturned longstanding Republican dominance in Kansas, Texas and South Carolina, capturing seats in states traditionally considered conservative strongholds. — 🇺🇸 Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. — 🇺🇸 Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar has secured another term in Congress despite repeated demands from Trump that she resign. — 🇺🇸/🇮🇷 President Trump acknowledges that the conflict with Iran may have contributed to Republican losses, suggesting voters were unwilling to tolerate higher fuel prices. He also says he will respect the election results. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸/🇮🇷 NEW: Basing on the possibility of renewed U.S. attacks on Iran's vital facilities after the third of November (more details here), several Gulf states warned Iran that they "may respond militarily, either individually or collectively," if their territories or important facilities were subjected to any Iranian attacks, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸 NEW: Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan has requested protection from the U.S. Marshals Service after receiving death threats following her endorsement of Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, according to Axios. Senior Trump administration officials told Axios that the request is under review and is expected to be approved. Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers came after a bitter split with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in a closely watched Michigan Senate race. Stevens is also known for a 2023 Hanukkah event remark in which she said, “Israel comes to me in my dreams. I see Israel’s future.” @interbellumnews

— 🇴🇲 NEW: UKMTO says a tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles around 14 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman. According to the vessel’s company security officer, both projectiles hit the engine room. No casualties or environmental impact have been reported so far. Authorities are investigating the incident. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇱/🇵🇸 NEW: The IDF says forces from the Ephraim Brigade and undercover Border Guard units operated in the Nur Shams area after receiving intelligence about an explosive device allegedly planted to target Israeli security forces. According to the IDF, the device was located and destroyed in a controlled manner. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸 NEW: U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed Congressman Mike Lawler and urged voters in New York to support him, highlighting Lawler’s record on antisemitism, religious freedom and support for Jewish communities. Trump specifically appealed to voters in Monsey and surrounding areas, saying Lawler had “stood with the community” and calling on supporters to turn out and vote. @interbellumnews

— 🇬🇱/🇺🇸 Greenland’s parliament approved a security agreement with the US and Denmark on Tuesday, by 16 votes to none with seven abstentions. The deal opens two new US defence areas, at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and allows the US to modernise Pituffik Space Base. Its text keeps Greenland under Danish sovereignty, and the deal stays in force if Greenland becomes independent. “We must accept that peace and stability are no longer something we can take for granted,” Foreign Minister Mute Egede told lawmakers. Opposition party Naleraq wants better terms: “We are looking for a better agreement that we can benefit from when we become an independent state,” said its chairman, Pele Broberg. Denmark’s parliament holds its first reading on 12 November and a final vote on 19 November. Read the full story here. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇱/🇺🇸 NEW: Yair Lapid, Israel’s opposition leader, says Trump’s announcement ending US aid to Israel ranks among the country’s worst political and security failures, accusing Netanyahu of surrendering without readying Israel’s defense systems. Trump's decision is one of the most severe political and security failures in the state's history. It's inconceivable that Netanyahu capitulated to it, and even more inconceivable that he failed to prepare the security apparatus. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸 NEW: California Governor Gavin Newsom has responded to ICE’s threat to “track down” noncitizen voters. If YOU show up to the polls illegally, we will find you. We will track you down, arrest you, and prosecute you. There will be no escape. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇱 NEW: Likud has accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of obstructing an investigation into alleged election-related wrongdoing and called for her to stop interfering in the probe. In a statement shared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud claimed Baharav-Miara was seeking to delay the investigation, shield Shin Bet officials from questioning and allow Knesset members from Arab parties and their aides to be investigated. The party also alleged that questions remain over possible foreign funding and influence in the election process, while accusing the attorney general of trying to bury the investigation. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇷/🇺🇸 Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Ali Abdollahi, set out five conditions for lasting regional security on Tuesday. They include full sanctions removal, war compensation and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that Iran could respond to future threats without geographical limits. US President Donald Trump called Monday’s strike on Qeshm Island “just a minor attack”, saying US forces watched an anti-aircraft site being built and hit it once it was completed. Unnamed US officials gave a different account, saying the strike destroyed a missile launcher after a missile was fired at a US aircraft. Qatar says Washington and Tehran are reviewing its proposals. “If there were no glimmer of hope, there would be no negotiations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said. Read the full story here. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸 NEW: Flash flooding has forced changes to polling locations across several Florida counties as Americans head to the polls for the midterm elections. Florida Senate candidates Ashley Moody and Angie Nixon have urged voters to check updated polling locations. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and flash flooding could disrupt access to polling stations in parts of Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. @interbellumnews

EDITORIAL NOTE: Several Telegram channels are reporting that Italy has ordered all Italian citizens to leave Iran immediately. This is not what the latest Italian security notice says. The updated guidance states that travel to Iran remains strongly discouraged amid U.S.-Iran tensions and advises Italians already in the country to exercise maximum caution, avoid demonstrations and photography, register their presence with the embassy, and follow local authorities’ instructions. Italy has issued stronger departure recommendations in the past, but the current update does not amount to a new immediate evacuation order for all Italian citizens in Iran.

— 🇺🇸 NEW: Michigan’s Senate candidates, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, have issued final appeals to voters in one of the most closely watched races of the US midterm elections. “It’s time. It’s up to us to show the country what’s possible. The world is watching,” El-Sayed wrote on X, sharing campaign footage featuring former President Barack Obama. Rogers urged supporters to vote, declaring: “We have a state to save,” alongside a campaign video featuring supporters and criticism of his Democratic opponent. @interbellumnews

— 🇮🇷/🇺🇸 NEW: Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei says the latest U.S. response to Tehran’s demands is “not convincing,” and that Washington must fully and explicitly address Iran’s seven conditions. Rezaei said Iran expects the United States to act on those conditions, adding that only then would the Strait of Hormuz be reopened. @interbellumnews

— 🇺🇸/🇮🇱 US President Donald Trump announced that Washington will end approximately $4 billion in annual assistance to Israel by the end of 2026, following discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while allowing Israel to continue purchasing American weapons. The decision would end assistance ahead of the current security agreement's 2028 expiration, although the administration has not clarified how the change will be implemented or which forms of aid will be affected. The announcement comes amid growing political divisions over US military support for Israel, with Trump arguing that Israel can now finance its own defense purchases. Read the full story here. @interbellumnews

— 🇱🇧/🇸🇾 NEW: Hezbollah has denied allegations by Syria’s Internal Security Forces that a cell operating in the country was linked to the group. In a statement, Hezbollah said it has no presence or affiliated networks in Syria and denied involvement in activities that would undermine Syrian security or stability. The group said its focus remains on confronting Israel and accused repeated claims linking it to incidents inside Syria of serving outside interests. @interbellumnews