EHRAN, Iran: Araghchi energy market claim accused US government elements and Israel-aligned actors on Saturday of trying to influence prices and prolong the war, without publicly presenting evidence.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that Iranian intelligence had identified what he called major efforts to “game energy markets.” He alleged that some US officials were using media coverage to influence prices for personal gain.
Araghchi also claimed those efforts were intended to keep President Donald Trump involved in what he described as a losing war.
He separately accused actors aligned with Israel of encouraging further military action through overly optimistic assessments. The Iranian foreign minister did not identify the US officials or Israel-linked actors he was referring to.
Read: Iran Foreign Trade Shrinks 35% Under US Sanctions, Blockade
The material reviewed also contained no independently verified evidence supporting his allegations of market manipulation. His comments came as energy markets remained sensitive to developments around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran International reported Saturday that Brent crude had fallen to $86.38 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate to $80.53 per barrel amid renewed expectations that some shipping through the waterway could resume.
Read: US-Iran War Reaches Six Months as Economic Pressure Builds
Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organisation said about 400 vessels carrying nearly 6,000 seafarers remained unable to leave the Persian Gulf safely.
