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Trump Accuses Iran of Raising Oil Prices Ahead of Midterms
· Confirmed
In Short: US President Donald Trump accused Iran of deliberately driving up oil prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to reports from the Free Press Journal (India) and Anews (Türkiye).
US President Donald Trump accused Iran of deliberately driving up oil prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to reports from the Free Press Journal (India) and Anews (Türkiye). Trump alleged that Tehran is fabricating reports of attacks and mines in the Strait of Hormuz to influence the election outcome.
The Free Press Journal (India) reported that Trump made these remarks amid rising fuel costs in the United States, which have put pressure on his administration. Anews (Türkiye) noted that Trump's decision to defer potential military strikes against Iran until after the midterm elections signals a temporary shift toward diplomacy, while maintaining economic pressure through sanctions.
According to Arise News, two senior Iranian officials claimed that Iran is stepping up attacks on commercial shipping and expanding its maritime operations to keep global oil prices elevated. One official stated, 'Such vessels would be safe nowhere, even outside the Strait of Hormuz.'
Trump also accused Iran of continuing to kill protesters and 'anyone else that happens to be in their way,' as reported by Times Now and Timesnownews. He claimed that more oil is currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz than it did before the conflict began, suggesting that Iran's actions are exaggerated.
The Free Press Journal (India) and Times Now reported that Trump's remarks come as his administration faces pressure over rising fuel costs. Voters have cited the cost of living as their top issue, with only 25 percent approving of how Trump has handled it, according to Theatlantic.
In a rally in South Carolina, Trump accused Iran of intentionally driving up oil costs ahead of the midterm elections, as reported by Oann. He also called drug cartels 'the ISIS of the Western Hemisphere' and 'enemies at war with civilization,' according to Axios.
Theatlantic reported that gas costs are 37 percent higher than they were a year ago, with diesel climbing to a record $6.31 compared to $3.70 in September 2025, according to AAA. El-Sayed, a critic of the Trump administration, alleged that Rogers has been promoting the war in Iran since before he became a member of Congress in 2001, raising costs for Americans.
House Democrats criticized a bill proposed by Lindsey Graham, arguing that it would do more harm than good by expanding presidential tariff authorities and failing to mandate sanctions on Russia, as reported by Washingtonexaminer. They warned that this could raise Americans' prices and undermine support for Ukraine in the long term.
What this adds
The reports from the Free Press Journal (India) and Anews (Türkiye) align on Trump's accusation that Iran is deliberately driving up oil prices ahead of the midterm elections. However, they differ on the implications of Trump's decision to defer military strikes against Iran until after the elections.
Background
US President Donald Trump accused Iran of deliberately driving up oil prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, alleging that Tehran is fabricating reports of attacks and mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Vice President JD Vance defended the Trump administration's handling of the economy and Iran strategy during a CBS News town hall, addressing voter concerns about high gas prices and economic challenges.
What's confirmed
- US President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 22, accused Iran of deliberately pushing up oil prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, while alleging that Tehran was fabricating reports of attacks and mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump blames Iran for rising oil prices ahead of midterms Trump's remarks come as his administration faces pressure over rising fuel costs in the United States ahead of the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
- "Iran is doing everything they can to drive up the price of Oil prior to the US Midterm Election. They are even making up fake hits, mines, and everything else," Trump said, while claiming that more oil is currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz than it did before the conflict began.
- "Republicans have always been loath to cross him because of his sort of stronghold on the party."
What's still developing
- “I didn’t give anybody heads-up,” Massie told reporters Tuesday afternoon.
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- “House Democrats are rock solid in our support for Ukraine, but the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act would do more harm than good,” House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ways and Means Committee ranking member Richard Neal (D-MA), and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) wrote in a statement.
- “The consequences of this war are that you are paying nearly $5 [per gallon] in gas. You’re paying more in groceries because of the price of diesel,” El-Sayed said.
- "Trump's strength has always been primarily devised from his relationship to the voters," said Sarah Longwell, a GOP strategist and longtime critic of the president.
- However, as Americans continue to sour on the president, Longwell argued that GOP lawmakers and candidates alike may "feel more comfortable bucking him on things that they really care about."
- “Just when they think they are getting close to the point where prices will fall, we will push them away from it. This is a game of chess,” the official said.