WASHINGTON, Nov 5 — Donald Trump struck a surprisingly conciliatory tone after the Democratic sweep of the US midterm elections rendered him a lame-duck president. How long that will last is anyone’s guess.

From renewed military action against Iran to vetoing Democratic legislation, the volatile 80-year-old could still use his remaining powers to cause major disruption in his last two years in office.

“Every time Trump has been backed into a corner, he has shouted more and come out fighting,” Peter Loge, director of George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, told AFP.

Trump congratulated the Democrats on Tuesday and said he would be ready to work with them. He may have to, especially if Republicans turn on him over a defeat many of them blame on the Iran war.