Iran is intensifying attacks on commercial vessels and preparing to expand its maritime operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to sustain high global oil prices and increase pressure on the United States ahead of its November midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials have disclosed.

The officials said Tehran had recently adopted new tactics against vessels suspected of violating its restrictions in the strategic waterway, with the changes reportedly approved by Iran’s highest leadership.

The escalation follows the February 28 strikes launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, after which Tehran tightened restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that previously handled about one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas trade.

The restrictions and attacks have significantly reduced maritime traffic through the strait, contributing to rising oil prices despite some vessels continuing to transit the waterway.

One of the Iranian officials said the country began implementing different offensive tactics about 10 days ago, increasing the frequency and changing the nature of its operations against vessels considered to have breached its restrictions.

The official said the strategy was intended to frustrate efforts by Washington and its allies to reduce international oil prices.

A United States military official also confirmed a shift in Iran’s tactics, disclosing that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had begun deploying unarmed personnel in small boats to identify potential targets, including American naval vessels.

The official attributed the change partly to American strikes that had destroyed much of Iran’s radar capability.

In an incident last week that had not previously been reported, US forces identified Iranian personnel aboard a traditional dhow gathering information on potential targets and relaying it to the IRGC.

According to the American official, US forces confronted the vessel, ordered its occupants to abandon ship and subsequently destroyed it. No casualties were reported.

The official added that Iran faced limitations in its ability to stop increased oil shipments through the strait without risking its remaining fast boats, following extensive damage to its naval capabilities from American strikes.

The confrontation is also unfolding against the backdrop of the November US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. The conflict is estimated to cost Washington approximately $3 billion monthly.

US President Donald Trump has been weighing further options against Tehran but has indicated that he would not launch additional attacks before the elections.

Meanwhile, Washington has maintained economic pressure on Iran through a naval blockade of Iranian ports and expanded sanctions, seeking to compel Tehran to reach an agreement to end the conflict.

Maritime security data indicate that attacks on commercial vessels around the Strait of Hormuz have recently reached their highest frequency since the conflict began.

At least five incidents involving tankers and other commercial ships were recorded within 48 hours, including drone strikes, according to maritime security reports and information submitted to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.

The level of activity was comparable to that recorded between October 3 and 5, pointing to a renewed escalation, according to data from the International Maritime Organization.

A maritime security source described the increase in attacks as deliberate, suggesting that the intensified operations were part of a coordinated strategy.

The Iranian officials also disclosed plans to extend operations into the Gulf of Oman and other maritime areas beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

Security assessments indicate that attacks may already be spreading to waters outside the strait, including areas off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

One of the officials said Tehran intended to prevent Trump from securing lower oil prices before the November elections, warning that Iran would intensify pressure whenever Washington appeared close to achieving that objective.

Both officials also warned that Iran was moving towards a complete suspension of passage for vessels it considers to have violated its restrictions, raising concerns about further disruptions to international shipping.

The Pentagon and Iran’s Foreign Ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

In its latest report on Sunday, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center classified the threat to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as “severe”, its second-highest threat category.

The centre said attacks, attempted attacks and harassment attributed to the IRGC were continuing, including drone surveillance over merchant vessels, targeted monitoring operations and occasional radio communications directed at ships.

The latest escalation has heightened concerns about the security of a vital international shipping route, with further attacks potentially increasing oil price volatility, shipping costs and insurance premiums while complicating efforts to restore normal maritime traffic.