US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of attempting to drive up oil prices ahead of the United States midterm elections, alleging that Tehran is using fabricated incidents and other actions to influence oil market conditions.
In a social media post, Trump claimed that Iran was deliberately trying to increase oil prices before the elections, arguing that Iran is “doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil.”
Alleging that Iran was misrepresenting developments surrounding oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump wrote, “They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else.”
The US President did not provide supporting evidence for the allegations in the post. His remarks also included accusations of widespread killings of protesters in Iran and a renewed declaration that the country must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
His post came after US Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack has emphasized that US efforts to secure a peace agreement with Iran remain undermined by deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha, Barrack said that the United States wanted a peace deal to resolve the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz but acknowledged that the lack of confidence between the two sides had complicated negotiations.
Trump alleged that Iran was taking steps to increase oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections, presenting the issue as one with potential implications for American political and economic interests.
Trump Hints Increased Oil Flow
Also, the US President argued that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz had increased compared with levels recorded before the conflict began, challenging what he described as Iranian efforts to portray the situation differently.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key reference point in the global oil trade, making developments affecting its shipping routes significant to discussions about energy supplies and prices.
However, Trump’s post did not provide figures or other supporting information to substantiate his comparison of oil shipments before and after the conflict. It also did not identify specific incidents involving alleged fabricated attacks or mines.
The US President’s comments placed the dispute within the context of the approaching US midterm elections, suggesting that he viewed oil prices as a politically significant issue.
His allegations were accompanied by criticism of Iran’s leadership, which he described as an “Evil Regime.” He called on Americans and the international community to recognise what he characterised as the Iranian government’s conduct.
“They continue to kill protestors, and anyone else that happens to be in their way. It is truly an Evil Regime, and I can only hope the American Public, and the World, understands how EVIL they are!”
Donald Trump
Beyond oil prices, Trump accused Iranian authorities of killing protesters and other people who stand in their way. “75,000 protestors lie dead in less than seven months,” he wrote, presenting the figure as evidence of the scale of violence in Iran.
The post did not identify the source of the figure or provide supporting documentation. The claim could not be independently established from the information contained in the statement.
Trump Criticises International Community And Democrats
Trump also criticised the international community and the Democratic Party, arguing that they appeared indifferent to the deaths he alleged had occurred. “It is shocking how the World, and the Dumocrat Party, seem not to care,” he wrote, using the misspelling “Dumocrat” in the post.
Trump concluded with a forceful warning against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, declaring that the country could never be allowed to possess them. “IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, AND THEY WILL NEVER A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” Trump wrote.
The statement reiterated his opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon but did not outline any new policy measures or specify what actions his administration would take in response to the concerns raised.
The statement show the difficult environment surrounding diplomatic contacts, with Tehran maintaining its negotiating demands while simultaneously warning against further military escalation.
Trump’s post combined allegations about oil prices, claims of killings in Iran and opposition to the country’s potential nuclear armament. However, the claims about fabricated incidents, the number of protesters killed and the alleged efforts to influence oil prices were not substantiated within the post itself.
READ ALSO: Adina Thembi Set to Headline CroxItOut Breast Cancer Awareness Concert
