Trump claims Iran is 'making up fake hits' on tankers to drive up oil costs ahead of elections

In a recent statement on social media, US President Donald Trump alleged that Iran is falsifying reports of attacks on oil tankers and naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz to artificially inflate oil prices prior to the November midterm elections. "Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil prior to the US Midterm Election," Trump claimed in his post.

The president further accused Iran's regime of staging the attacks, including deploying mines and other devices, to mislead the public. He emphasized that the flow of oil through the Hormuz Strait is currently higher than ever before the conflict began. Trump also cited Iran's alleged involvement in the killing of protesters.

Trump defended the US military campaign against Iran, acknowledging that it has had political repercussions but asserting that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is crucial. "There's a price to pay, which I knew immediately when I did it," Trump stated, emphasizing that the nuclear threat posed by Iran cannot be tolerated.

Public opinion on the conflict has been mixed, according to Trump. While some Americans view the campaign favorably, seeing it as the right course of action, others may not share this sentiment. The president also hinted at the possibility of additional military actions against Iran, suggesting that Washington has already inflicted significant damage and may carry out more.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of contention throughout the conflict, with attacks on commercial shipping and restrictions on maritime traffic posing threats to the flow of oil through the waterway. Iran's IRGC Navy reported the destruction of four oil tankers in the region, fueling concerns about a potential escalation of the situation and its impact on global energy supplies.

Trump contended that oil is currently flowing through the strait at a higher rate than before the war, despite the presence of fabricated reports of attacks.