Iran has altered its approach by focusing on attacks against commercial shipping in the Gulf region, aiming to boost global oil prices (Reuters)
Iran is changing its tactics to step up attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf and keep global oil prices elevated ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. The strategy could complicate Trump’s efforts to ease energy costs ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, in which control of Congress is at stake.
The official said Tehran would seek to push prices higher whenever Washington appeared close to bringing them down. The Iranian officials also said Iran intended to expand its operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman and waters further afield, including areas off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. “Such vessels would be safe nowhere, even outside the Strait of Hormuz,” the official said, warning that ships violating Iran’s restrictions could face threats beyond the strategic waterway.
This comes as Tehran seeks to increase economic pressure on US President Donald Trump. Sustained disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could keep oil prices elevated, increasing fuel costs for American consumers and adding to economic pressure on the administration.