The Government of Iran downplayed Donald Trump‘s victory in the United States elections on Wednesday, while the rial fell to historic lows and some in Tehran celebrated the Republican’s victory.
The first official reaction from Iranian authorities came from government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani, who said that “the election of the president of the United States has no clear relationship with us.”
Mohajerani assured that “the general policies of the United States and Iran are fixed policies,” in an apparent reference to the decades of tensions between Tehran and Washington, dating back to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
“There will be no changes in people’s living standards and it doesn’t matter much who becomes president” of the United States,” he stressed at a press conference.
Currencies reacted
However, currency exchanges reacted negatively to Trump’s victory and the rial fell to record lows during the morning.
Thus, it was exchanged at 710,000 rials per dollar, its lowest historical value on the free market, according to the Bonbast website and prices confirmed by EFE in exchange houses in Tehran.
Shortly afterwards it recovered slightly, but continues to have figures below those of previous weeks.
During the Republican’s first term (2017-2021), Iran and the United States experienced strong tensions that brought the two countries closer to a direct conflict as a result of the assassination in 2020 in Baghdad of Qasem Soleimani, general at the head of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard.
But above all, Trump unilaterally abandoned in 2018 the nuclear agreement signed by six powers in 2015, which limited the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
The Republican reimposed sanctions, which sank the Iranian economy to this day, and Iran responded with a considerable increase in its nuclear program that also continues to this day.
Now, Trump wins the elections in the midst of a new spiral of tension between Tehran and Washington due to Tel Aviv’s escalation of war in the region.
Just today, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated that it does not rule out a preemptive attack by the United States and Israel to avoid Iranian revenge for the Israeli bombing of October 26 and assured that they are ready.
“Iran and the resistance front are ready,” said the deputy commander in chief of the elite military corps, Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, in an interview with Yemeni television collected by Iranian media before the American’s victory was announced.
Joy of some for Trump’s victory
Despite possible tensions and the fall of the rial, some Iranians have celebrated Trump’s victory in the hope that the Republican will end the Islamic Republic of Iran and the government of the ayatollahs.
“I am happy about Trump’s victory in the United States elections,” Milad, a 40-year-old taxi driver from Tehran, told EFE.
The driver believed that in his first term the Republican “weakened the Iranian system with the pressure he imposed on them” and hopes the same thing will happen now.
“Maybe they say I’m crazy, but I think Trump can overthrow the system and can support the popular movements inside Iran,” he explained.
A similar opinion was held by Haniya, a 30-year-old employee of an exchange house who participated in the 2022 protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini after being arrested for not wearing the Islamic veil properly.
“I think Trump knows better than anyone how he should treat the Islamic Republic,” said the young woman, who says she has been arrested twice for not wearing the hijab.
Tehran / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Amir Golshani: Iranian Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Golshani. With Donald Trump’s recent victory in the U.S. elections, we’ve seen a mixed reaction from Iranians. Some are celebrating while others are expressing worry. What do you think is driving these diverse sentiments?
**Dr. Golshani:** Thank you for having me. The mixed reactions among Iranians can largely be attributed to their complex relationship with the United States and their historical experiences. While some may see Trump’s return as a potential for change—perhaps hoping for a more favorable negotiation regarding sanctions—many remain wary, recalling the heightened tensions during his previous administration.
**Interviewer:** Right, and the Iranian government has downplayed the significance of Trump’s victory, stating that it won’t impact their policies. How credible is this stance, considering the economic challenges Iran has faced?
**Dr. Golshani:** It’s a typical statement from Iranian officials, aiming to project stability and resilience despite external pressures. However, the market’s immediate reaction speaks volumes—seeing the rial fall to historically low levels reflects the underlying anxieties about the economic implications of a Trump presidency. His past administration’s policies had dire consequences for the Iranian economy, and many are anticipating the potential for more sanctions and increased isolation.
**Interviewer:** Given that the rial dropped to 710,000 rials per dollar after Trump’s victory, what does this indicate about the public’s confidence in the government’s response to foreign relations?
**Dr. Golshani:** The plummeting rial indicates a significant lack of confidence among the public and investors in the Iranian economy and governance. Economic stability is often influenced by political stability, and with the prospect of Trump re-imposing harsh sanctions, many Iranians worry about the continued deterioration of their living standards. Public perception is crucial, and the government’s reassurances may not be resonating as effectively as they hoped.
**Interviewer:** Reflecting on the past U.S.-Iran relations during Trump’s first term, what lessons do you think both countries might need to consider moving forward?
**Dr. Golshani:** Both nations need to recognize that the cycle of sanctions and retaliatory actions only exacerbates the existing animosities. For Iran, there is a need to seek a more diplomatic approach to reduce tensions and potentially engage in dialogue, while for the U.S., understanding Iran’s security concerns is essential. Successfully navigating these diplomatic waters will require patience and a willingness to compromise, which was notably absent in previous dealings.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Golshani, for sharing your insights. It seems that the path forward remains complex for both Iran and the U.S.
**Dr. Golshani:** Indeed, it will require careful consideration and a willingness to recalibrate diplomatic strategies to prevent further escalation. Thank you for having me.
