International Desk, Reporter || Iran is changing its tactics to target commercial shipping in an effort to keep global oil prices high and increase pressure on Washington ahead of the US midterm elections in November, two senior Iranian officials have told Reuters.Tehran is also planning to expand the geographical scope of its operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz, targeting waters in the Gulf of Oman and potentially areas farther afield, the officials said.According to a Reuters report published on Wednesday (October 14), Iran began using different offensive tactics against vessels it considers to have violated its restrictions around 10 days ago. The shift has reportedly led to an increase in attacks on such ships.The officials said one of the objectives of the new strategy was to influence the outcome of the US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.Iran seeks to frustrate efforts to lower oil pricesOne of the senior Iranian officials told Reuters that the aim was to frustrate efforts by the United States and its allies to bring down global oil prices.The second official said Tehran would not allow US President Donald Trump to lower oil prices before the November elections.Just when they think they are getting close to the point where prices will fall, we will push them away from it. This is a game of chess, the official said.The Iranian officials said the decision to adopt the new tactics had been made at the highest levels of the country's leadership and was coordinated across its governing system.Iran uses small boats to identify targetsA US military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Iran had changed its methods of identifying potential targets after US strikes destroyed much of its radar capability.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has begun using unarmed spotters aboard small boats to identify potential targets, including US naval vessels, and relay information to the force, the official said.In an incident last week that had not previously been reported, the US military determined that Iranian spotters were operating from a dhow and calling in targets to the IRGC.US forces confronted the vessel, ordered its occupants to abandon ship and then destroyed it. No casualties were reported, according to the US official.The official added that Iran had been unable to prevent an increase in oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, partly because it was unwilling to risk its remaining fast boats. The country's navy has been severely weakened by US strikes, the official said.Attacks may spread beyond the Strait of HormuzThe two Iranian officials said Tehran planned to extend its operations beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman and other waters farther away.Analysis by maritime security sources, based on incidents reported to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and regional security companies, suggests that attacks may already be spreading beyond the strait.Recent incidents have reportedly involved vessels in waters off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.There is a tempo increase in strikes, which looks deliberate, a maritime security source told Reuters.At least five incidents involving tankers and other commercial vessels were reported in the Hormuz area over the previous 48 hours, according to maritime security data and reports submitted to UKMTO, a British navy-affiliated agency. The incidents included drone strikes.Data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations' shipping agency, also indicated a renewed escalation, with the recent rate of attacks broadly matching that recorded between October 3 and 5.Iran warns of a possible complete closureBoth Iranian officials said Tehran was moving towards a situation in which vessels violating its restrictions would no longer be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.It will be complete closure soon, one of the officials said.Before the war, the strait carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade. Iran has sought to establish control over the strategic waterway since the United States and Israel launched strikes against the country on February 28.Iranian threats and attacks have significantly reduced commercial traffic through the strait, although some oil shipments have continued to pass through.Meanwhile, the United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports and imposed additional sanctions as part of its efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran and secure a deal to end the conflict.Trump has been weighing further steps against Iran but has said he would not launch another attack before the US elections.Shipping risks threaten global energy marketsThe war and its economic costs have become significant issues in the US election campaign. A Reuters report cited an estimated monthly cost of around $3 billion for the conflict.The confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz has left global energy markets vulnerable to further supply disruptions. The threat of attacks, higher shipping expenses and rising insurance costs are complicating efforts to restore normal maritime traffic.In its latest report on Sunday, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) rated the threat to merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as “severe”, its second-highest threat level.The centre said IRGC attacks, attempted attacks and harassment had continued, including unmanned aerial vehicle overflights, targeted surveillance of merchant vessels and occasional hailing over very high frequency (VHF) radio.The Pentagon and Iran's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.Source: Reuters