Iran Says It Will Be Unaffected By Election Result, But Markets Are Already Reacting
We have the first official reaction from Iran, with government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani insisting that the outcome of the election “will not affect the livelihood of our people.”
Without mentioning Trump, Mohajerani said the Islamic republic’s policies “will not be significantly impacted” by developments in the U.S. She also said that “preparations were made in advance,” without offering further details.
Despite Mohajerani’s insistence that livelihoods won’t be affected, the Iranian rial depreciated against major currencies, including the U.S. dollar. The dollar this morning hit an all-time low of 701,000 rials, according to the foreign exchange website Bonbast.com, which tracks the unofficial market.
-- Kian Sharifi and Parisa Sohbati
Congratulations from the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, which opposes Taliban rule:
More from Balkan heads of state...
Among wishes for a successful mandate, he wrote on Facebook: "The United States is a strong supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens in building a democratic, multi-ethnic, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. U.S. support is of great importance for preserving stability and continuing the democratic processes that will enable Bosnia and Herzegovina’s successful integration into full membership of the European Union and NATO."
The president of Montenegro congratulates Trump:
"Montenegro and the U.S. are friends and steadfast partners," Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović stated in his message on X. "Montenegro and the USA are friends and steadfast partners, united by shared goals and values, focused on advancing democracy, security, stability, and freedom. As NATO allies, we look forward to working very closely with your administration on strengthening our friendship and deepening cooperation."
-- Compiled by Ajla Obradovic
Reactions from Ukraine:
Former Ukrainian prisoner of war Maksym Kolesnikov:
"As I understand it, the countdown to the 24 hours in which President-elect Trump will establish peace in Ukraine has already begun. Godspeed, Donald."
(Background: Trump has said he would end the Ukraine war by simply talking to the presidents of Ukraine and Russia. During the debate, Trump criticized the spending of billions of dollars on Ukraine's defense, saying that Kyiv “will not win the war.” He also said that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he, Trump, had been in the White House.)
Mykola Kniazhytskiy, Ukrainian MP from opposition European Solidarity Party:
"There is a lot of work ahead. Trump, like Zelensky once did, also believes that he will look Putin in the eye and solve all the problems. Some of his voters are also convinced of this. In the end, the fate of the world will still be decided by the Ukrainian soldier. But in such a situation, our public administration must grow up and become more responsible."
Ukrainian political activist and blogger Serhiy Sternenko:
"Look, Trump, you were shot at. Would you forgive your attacker? Think about it, Donald."
Ukrainian journalist Yanina Sokolova:
"We have to do our own thing. If we don't change and start relying on ourselves, we will die."
-- Compiled by Sashko Shevchenko
Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya:
Moldovan President Maia Sandu:
Russian reactions from around the globe
U.S.-based Russian economist Konstantin Sonin:
"Trump will not pull out of NATO; he doesn’t have the mandate for it, nor enough political strength. But there will be nerves, just like last time. The Senate, where Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans will hold the majority, will only agree to appoint center-right ministers. For example, someone like Secretary of State Mark Rubio. Aid to Ukraine will face delays, reductions, and be accompanied by loud demands, etc., but I believe it will generally continue."
Anton Shekhovtsov, director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity (Austria):
“I may be wrong, but, apparently, the U.S. has just avoided a dramatic civil conflict (or even war), which would have been a natural continuation of the hate and polarization ecstasy of the electoral campaign. But now one side will have to admit defeat in a decent way (so as to not be compared to its rivals in 2020), while the other will let off steam through celebrations.
"Ideally, this should be followed by a period of national healing. But we don’t live in the ideal world.”
Alexander Kushnar, journalist:
"My prediction came true – to the shame of those who accused me of alarmism and pointed to predictions of the opposite: Trump is the next president of the United States, and with a Republican majority in the Senate and, apparently, in the House of Representatives, the next two years will grant the magnate a full carte blanche in all areas.
"Conclusion: Learn to listen, at last, to those who soberly assess reality, not those who tell you what you want to hear.
"Moving on: If Trump were to literally fulfill his promises, I’d say that Ukraine faces the very catastrophe I have repeatedly warned about, and NATO, accordingly, will face extremely difficult times. However, since Trump conducted his campaign as a populist, there is no certainty about what exactly he plans to do as head of state, especially in foreign policy. As Bolton said, strategic ambiguity, which Trump is known for, works well with enemies but not with friends."
-- Compiled by Mark Krotov
The president of the European Commission, Ursula van der Leyen:
Voters in Chicago's Ukrainian community talked about their hopes and fears as they headed to the polls in the November 5 U.S. presidential election. The vote could determine the degree of continued U.S. military support for Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion and whether Kyiv will be pressured into a deal with Moscow:
