Iran has adopted new tactics to target vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to keep global oil prices elevated and influence the outcome of the US midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.
Tehran has sought to tighten its control over the strategic waterway since US and Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, restricting maritime traffic through a route that previously carried approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The officials declined to disclose details of the new strategy, but one said Iran had begun employing different offensive tactics around 10 days ago against vessels it considered to be violating its restrictions, resulting in an increase in attacks.
Both officials said the strategy involved changes in the nature and frequency of attacks, with influencing the US elections among its objectives.
"The goal is to frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies to lower global oil prices," one official said.
According to the officials, the decision to adopt the new approach was taken at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership and fully coordinated across the country’s ruling establishment.
Tehran has sought to tighten its control over the strategic waterway since US and Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, restricting maritime traffic through a route that previously carried approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The officials declined to disclose details of the new strategy, but one said Iran had begun employing different offensive tactics around 10 days ago against vessels it considered to be violating its restrictions, resulting in an increase in attacks.
Both officials said the strategy involved changes in the nature and frequency of attacks, with influencing the US elections among its objectives.
"The goal is to frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies to lower global oil prices," one official said.
According to the officials, the decision to adopt the new approach was taken at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership and fully coordinated across the country’s ruling establishment.
