US President Donald Trump on Thursday accused Iran of deliberately driving up global oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections, calling the Islamic Republic a “truly evil regime”.
In a post on Truth
Social on Thursday, Trump accused Tehran of fabricating reports of attacks and naval mines to push oil prices higher.
“Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil prior to the U.S. Midterm Election. They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else, because more Oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait now than it did even prior to the beginning of the Conflict,” the US president said.
Trump alleged that Iran was seeking to exploit the situation for political gain in the US. He also claimed that 75,000 protesters had died in less than seven months, a figure that requires independent verification.
“It is truly an Evil Regime, and I can only hope the American Public, and the World, understands how EVIL they are!” Trump wrote, adding that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.
7 Tankers Attacked In Hormuz Overnight
Seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight after being hit by Iran or striking naval mines. The incidents come amid growing concern that the conflict could escalate again.
Despite the attacks, tankers continue to move through the strait. Oil producers have also found ways to keep crude flowing, although experts warn that doing so is becoming increasingly costly.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British military monitoring body, has reported that October has seen the highest number of attacks on commercial shipping in the critical waterway since the opening weeks of the war in March.
Iran Warns US Over Naval Escorts
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned that American military bases across the Middle East could become targets if US forces continue escorting ships through the strait.
“The US military must know that if this trend continues, the conflict will extend to its bases in the region,” the Guards said in a statement published on their Sepah News website, calling the message as a “serious warning”.
The US has increased naval escorts for vessels navigating the waterway while maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports. Negotiations to end the conflict remain deadlocked.
(With inputs from agencies)
