Politics · World News Bureau
Trump accuses Houthis of deliberately inflating oil prices ahead of US election
The US president claimed the Yemen-based militant group is orchestrating attacks on shipping to manipulate global energy markets before the November presidential vote. The allegations add another layer to tensions over Houthi naval operations in the Red Sea.
LSN World News ·
US President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday that Houthi forces are strategically timed their attacks on maritime commerce to artificially elevate oil prices in the weeks preceding the November election. The remarks represent Trump's latest commentary on the Iran-aligned group's ongoing campaign against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have conducted numerous strikes against commercial and military vessels over recent months, citing support for Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. The disruptions have raised global energy prices and prompted international military responses, with multiple nations deploying naval assets to protect shipping lanes.
Trump's assertion that the group is deliberately manipulating markets for political effect connects the Red Sea crisis directly to US domestic electoral dynamics. The accusation underscores broader concerns among policymakers about how regional conflicts and militant group actions could influence economic conditions during critical political periods.
The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, has previously stated its operations target Israeli-linked vessels and Western military assets. Regional analysts have attributed the timing and intensity of attacks to multiple factors including tactical considerations and political messaging, though the group has not publicly coordinated activities with US election cycles.