Iran has brushed aside the prospect of a second term for Donald Trump, calling the outcome of the US presidential election a “non-issue.” Despite the potential for more sanctions under a Trump administration, Iranian officials maintain that the country is unperturbed and prepared for any challenges that may arise.
Reacting to Trump’s likely victory in the tight race against his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, Iranian Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani emphasized that Tehran sees no significant difference between the two candidates. “The election of the US president has nothing to do with us. The general policies of the US and Iran are constant,” she told reporters in Tehran on Wednesday.
Mohajerani pointed out that Iran’s strategic plans are already in place to handle whatever sanctions or policy shifts come their way. “It doesn’t matter who becomes the president in the United States because all the necessary planning has been made in advance,” she added.
Having endured over five decades of sanctions, Mohajerani asserted that Iran has become more resilient. “Sanctions have strengthened Iran’s internal power,” she said. “We are not worried about Trump’s re-election.” She further explained, “We do not see any difference between these two people [Trump and Harris]. Sanctions have made us more self-sufficient, and we have the power to deal with new sanctions.”
The US under Trump’s first term famously withdrew unilaterally from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and imposed a sweeping series of sanctions, which have since devastated Iran’s economy. While Trump’s return to office may signal a continuation of tough policies, Iran remains steadfast, seeing these measures as part of an ongoing struggle that has only bolstered their internal strength.
Meanwhile, Trump’s potential return marks the culmination of an intensely divisive election campaign, with polls showing a neck-and-neck contest against Harris. If confirmed, Trump will make history as the first felon president, the oldest to take office, and the only one to serve non-consecutive terms. However, his time in office is likely to continue to be overshadowed by legal battles, including his criminal case related to hush money payments and lingering questions over his attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
For Iran, whether it’s Trump or Harris in power, the nation’s message is clear: the politics of Washington will not alter its course.
