Axios, US suspends raids against Iranian missiles and drones in Hormuz

The White House has almost completely suspended strikes against Iranian anti-ship missiles and drone launch pads in the Strait of Hormuz area, to avoid an escalation of the conflict before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. This was reported by the Axios website, citing a US official, according to whom the pause in the raids would have encouraged Tehran to intensify attacks to raise oil prices and increase pressure on President Donald Trump.

The suspension concerns operations against Iranian attack capabilities in the Strait area, while Washington continues to exert economic and naval pressure on Tehran.

According to Axios, the US administration fears that Iranian attacks could push shipping companies to avoid maritime passage, reducing oil flows and causing a sharp increase in prices.

US Forces Central Command (Centcom) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said on Friday that Iranian-backed militias, including Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraqi Shiite groups, are returning financial resources to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), their traditional financiers, to help them cope with economic difficulties. Cooper blamed the financial pressure on the country on the US naval blockade and sanctions, claiming they would cause losses of $25 billion in Iranian oil revenues.