Trump says Iran is driving up oil prices after tanker strikes in Hormuz
President Trump claims Iran is deliberately pushing up oil prices before the US midterms, after Iran said it struck seven tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump claimed Iran is intentionally driving up oil prices ahead of the US midterm election, CBS News reports. He spoke after Iran took responsibility for striking oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
Al Jazeera reports the US has pushed back on the claims from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It says the US dismissed them as an attempt to raise oil prices before US elections. Al Jazeera's headline says Iran also warned the US of a wider response. The excerpt gives no details of that warning.
Iran said on Thursday that its navy hit seven oil tankers in the strait, The Hill reports. The IRGC navy said in a statement that four of the tankers were transferring oil. The excerpt of The Hill's report cuts off before it describes the other three.
Iran's state television gave a somewhat different account, PBS NewsHour reports. It said the seven tankers were set on fire or damaged by mines overnight Wednesday into Thursday. It said they were either targeted or hit naval mines.
The Hill says the claim threatens to worsen regional tensions and a global energy crisis that is driving inflation.
Reported by
- The HillIran: 7 ships hit in the Strait of HormuzThu, Oct 22, 8:01 AM EDT
- Al JazeeraIran says seven ships hit in Hormuz Strait, warns US of wider responseThu, Oct 22, 1:58 PM EDT
- PBS NewsHourIran says 7 oil tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz, and other Middle East newsThu, Oct 22, 6:48 PM EDT
- CBS NewsTrump claims Iran doing "everything they can" to drive up oil prices ahead of midtermsThu, Oct 22, 6:52 PM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (2)
- Thu, Oct 22, 6:55 PM EDT, 3 outlets: Iran says seven oil tankers hit or damaged in Strait of Hormuz; US disputes it
- Thu, Oct 22, 2:25 PM EDT, 2 outlets: Iran says its navy hit seven ships in the Strait of Hormuz