Trump accuses Iran of fabricating ship attacks to boost oil prices

UPDATE - follow-up to Iran says indirect talks with U.S. on ceasefire proposal continue: President Donald Trump accused Iran of lying about attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz to drive up oil prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran is fabricating fake hits and mines even though more oil is moving through the strait than before the conflict began. Meanwhile, international benchmark Brent crude hit $112 a barrel on Thursday morning, marking its highest price since May 18. Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced that four vessels were struck in the Strait of Hormuz and three others hit sea mines on the southern route.

Context

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping route for petroleum, making any military conflict or blockade in the area an immediate driver of international energy prices. Tensions in the region have remained high since the outbreak of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran earlier this year.