Iran shifts tactics against ships in Hormuz to pressure oil prices before US vote

Iran has changed its tactics for attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to keep oil prices high and influence the US elections in November, according to two senior Iranian officials cited by Reuters. The new approach began roughly ten days ago and was approved at the highest level of Iran's leadership.

The strategy involves varying the type and frequency of attacks against ships Tehran says violate its navigation restrictions. One official said the goal is to frustrate US and allied efforts to lower global oil prices. Maritime security sources and UKMTO reports indicate at least five incidents near Hormuz in the past 48 hours, including drone strikes on tankers.

“The goal is to frustrate the efforts of the United States and its allies to lower global oil prices.”

A US military official confirmed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is now using unarmed small boats with observers to identify potential targets, including US warships. This shift followed the destruction of much of Iran's radar capacity by US forces. Last week, US forces intercepted one such vessel, ordered its occupants to abandon ship, and destroyed it.

Iranian officials warned operations will expand beyond the strait into the Gulf of Oman and other regional waters. The current pace of attacks resembles the surge recorded between October 3 and 5, according to the International Maritime Organization.