Iran shifting tactics to step up attacks on shipping before U.S. vote, officials say

Vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Tuesday. | ISNA / WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY / VIA REUTERS

REUTERS

Oct 14, 2026

DUBAI/LONDON/WASHINGTON – Iran is deploying new tactics to target ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to keep oil prices high and influence the U.S. midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials said.

Tehran has tried to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. It has restricted passage through the waterway, which carried about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the war, in an effort to gain leverage over Washington.

Its threats and attacks have severely curtailed traffic through the strait, driving up oil prices, though some oil has continued to transit.

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