Trump says Houthis trying to drive up oil prices ahead of US midterm elections - Reuters

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the Houthi rebel group in Yemen is intensifying attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure in an effort to raise oil prices ahead of the United States midterm elections. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the Houthis’ behavior as “very badly” and suggested the group is acting “probably at the behest of Iran” to influence energy markets.

Trump’s comments linked the recent Houthi strikes to a broader strategy to increase energy costs before voters head to the polls in November. He warned that the United States could consider expanding military operations across the Middle East after the elections, reiterating a threat he has made previously.

The president also referenced his decision in February to launch a war on Iran in coordination with Israel, noting that the conflict has contributed to higher energy prices and heightened concerns about the cost of living in the United States. He characterized the situation as “not nice” and implied that the Houthis’ actions are part of a coordinated effort to affect the U.S. political landscape.

Democratic leaders have indicated they intend to use voter dissatisfaction with rising prices and the ongoing war to challenge the Republican Party’s control of Congress. They aim to win one or both chambers in the midterms, which would enable them to block the president’s legislative agenda for the remainder of his term.

While Trump attributed the Houthi attacks to Iranian influence and a deliberate attempt to manipulate oil markets, no official statements from the Houthis or Iran were provided to confirm this motive. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the region and a volatile global energy market.