Trump accuses Iran of driving up oil prices before US midterms
US President Donald Trump accused Iran on Thursday of deliberately driving up global oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections, calling the Islamic Republic a "truly evil regime" in a Truth Social post. Trump alleged Tehran is fabricating reports of attacks and naval mines to inflate prices, claiming more oil is passing through the Strait of Hormuz than before the conflict began. He also asserted that 75,000 protesters have died in Iran, a figure requiring independent verification. The accusations follow overnight attacks that damaged seven oil tankers in the strait, with October seeing the highest number of commercial shipping attacks since March. Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned US bases could become targets if naval escorts continue.