Two senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Iran is using new tactics to target vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections.
اضافة اعلان
Tehran has sought to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, restricting passage through the waterway, which before the war carried around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, in an attempt to gain leverage over Washington.
Iranian threats and attacks have sharply reduced shipping traffic through the strait, pushing oil prices higher despite the continued passage of some oil shipments.
The two officials declined to disclose details of the new strategy, but one said Iran began using different attack tactics against vessels it considers to be violating its restrictions about 10 days ago, resulting in an increase in attacks on those vessels.
The officials said the strategy involved changes in the type and frequency of attacks, adding that one of its objectives was to influence the outcome of the US elections.
"The goal is to thwart the efforts of the United States and its allies to bring down global oil prices," one of the officials said.
The officials added that the decision to adopt the new strategy was taken at the highest levels of Iran's leadership and was fully coordinated among the various branches of the country's ruling establishment.
Analysis based on data from maritime security sources and reports received by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency showed that attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait had risen in recent days to their highest levels since the war began. Some vessels were targeted in areas beyond the strait, including waters off the coasts of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
One Iranian official said Tehran would not allow US President Donald Trump to lower oil prices ahead of the November elections, adding: "When they think they are getting close to the point where prices will fall, we will push them away from it. It's a game of chess."
The official added that vessels violating Iran's restrictions would not be safe even outside the Strait of Hormuz. The two officials said Tehran was moving toward preventing any vessel that violates those restrictions from passing through, while one warned that a "complete closure" could happen soon.
The developments come as the United States imposes a naval blockade on Iranian ports and expands economic sanctions in an effort to pressure Tehran into reaching an agreement to end the conflict.
The war, estimated to cost around $3 billion a month, has become a focus of US election campaigns as the midterm elections approach, with the vote set to determine which party controls Congress.
Trump has said he will not launch another attack on Iran before the elections, while he considers his next steps toward Tehran.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, have heightened concerns about disruptions to energy markets and rising shipping and insurance costs.
Source: Reuters
