Iran Accuses Trump Administration of $9 Billion Insider Trading

The Government of Iran has accused officials within the administration of Donald Trump of executing a $9 billion insider trading scheme involving oil futures markets. Iranian officials claim they documented a pattern of market manipulation between April and May 2026, asserting that specific trades preceded major war announcements and aligned with reporting from Axios.

Tehran specifically alleges that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff exploited insider knowledge gained during peace negotiations for financial profit. Iranian officials stated they previously shared these concerns with Vice President JD Vance. These accusations coincide with a broader diplomatic conflict regarding the current state of US-Iran relations.

On August 4, Donald Trump claimed that peace talks are active and that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been reached. However, Iran's foreign ministry has denied that any such talks are taking place, contradicting the president's assertions.