Fifteen minutes before Trump's post about negotiations with Iran, trades involving oil futures worth $850 million were executed on the stock exchange. The White House rejects allegations of insider trading.
Fifteen minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump published a post on March 23 about "productive negotiations" with Iran, suspicious trades involving oil futures worth hundreds of millions of dollars were executed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, March 24. Between 6:49 and 6:50 Washington time, more than 6,200 transactions involving Brent and WTI oil futures totaling about $850 million were conducted. Trump's post appeared at 7:04.
Immediately after Trump's announcement of a five-day delay in strikes on Iranian power plants, global oil prices sharply fell, while stock indices rose. However, the situation changed as soon as Iran stated that no negotiations had taken place - indices began to decline, and oil futures became more expensive. The timing of the trades, noted one exchange analyst, "raises questions." Whether they were coordinated in advance remains unknown.
The White House rejected suspicions of insider trading. Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai stated that the administration would not tolerate the illegal use of official positions, calling the contrary assumptions "unfounded and irresponsible."
Bloomberg: Allies urged Trump against strikes
U.S. allies and Gulf countries warned Trump that strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure would lead to disaster, Bloomberg reported citing sources. According to their assessment, causing long-term damage to Iranian infrastructure would almost inevitably turn the country into a "failed state" after the war. Bloomberg also links Trump's decision to postpone strikes with a desire to calm the markets.
On March 21, Trump demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz within two days, threatening to destroy Iranian power plants if they refused. On March 23, he announced the postponement of strikes, citing "productive negotiations" with Tehran. According to him, the American side included the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special representative Steve Witkoff.
Trump did not specify who represented Iran, only referring to a "high-ranking respected leader." The Jerusalem Post reported that the negotiations were allegedly conducted by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf - but he denies this. Iran generally denies the very fact of negotiations with the U.S.
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