Iran adopting new tactics in Hormuz ahead of U.S. midterm vote - Reuters

Investing.com - Iran is preparing to shift its tactics targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran looks to keep oil prices elevated ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November, according to Reuters.

Since shortly after the U.S. and Israel began a joint assault of Iran in late February, the Islamic Republic has moved to exert control over Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Iran has effectively shuttered the conduit for months, cutting off access to a waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas traversed before the conflict.

Energy prices have spiked, fueling inflationary pressures across the world. Consumers in the U.S., in particular, are grappling with higher gasoline pump costs, while a jump in diesel expenses could have drive up the prices on a wide range of items. Polls suggest that voters see higher living costs as a major issue prior to the November 3 election, which will decide the balance of power in Congress and possibly influence U.S. President Donald Trump's policy initiatives over the rest of his second term.

Citing a senior Iranian official, Reuters reported that Tehran has started to use different offensive tactics when attacking ships it considers to be in violation of its restrictions on movement in Hormuz. This has, in turn, led to more strikes on these ships, Reuters added.

The official told the news agency that the aim is "frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies" to bring down global oil prices, with one of Iran hoping to influence the outcome of the U.S. midterms. The decision was taken by top Iranian leadership and is being coordinated in the country's ruling system, Reuters reported.

An unnamed U.S. military official said one tactic Iran has changed has been the use of unarmed spotters in small boats to identify possible targets, such as U.S. naval vessels, Reuters added.

On Wednesday, Iran's paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said a cargo ship sank after hitting a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz.

Few other details were provided, with Iranian state television citing an IRGC statement that ship was traveling on what it described as an illegal and dangerous route, according to the Associated Press. The ship was carrying 2,500 containers when it caught fire, the AP reported.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitor, which has previously provided updates on ship attacks in Hormuz, had not immediately published any report matching Iran's claims on Wednesday.

Original Article

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