Oil traders bet $580 million just ahead of Trump's delay in attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Oil traders placed $580 million in bets minutes before Trump announced delay in Iranian infrastructure strikes.
How This Affects You
Potential insider trading on military policy decisions could artificially inflate gas prices you pay at the pump.
AI Summary
Oil traders wagered $580 million in futures contracts minutes before President Trump announced a delay in strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, prompting market watchers to investigate potential insider trading. The timing of the unusually large trading surge on Monday morning—preceding Trump's public announcement by mere minutes—suggests someone may have had advance knowledge of the decision. Such foreknowledge would represent a significant securities violation, as trading on material nonpublic information ahead of major geopolitical announcements is illegal. Oil prices are highly sensitive to Middle East conflict developments, making energy infrastructure decisions valuable intelligence for traders. The incident raises questions about information controls within the White House during sensitive foreign policy decisions.
Source Coverage Map
4 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
FinanceOil, stock trading spikes before Trump's Iran remarks spark insider trading suspicions
Thousands of oil contracts -- a far higher volume than normal -- were traded 15 minutes before Trump pledged to halt strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, sending prices tumbling. Traders who bet on prices dropping ahead of the announcement would likely have profited from Trump's sudden reversal, prompting analysts to question whether some market participants had acted on prior information. FRANCE 24's Yinka Oyetade speaks with Meziane Lasfer, Professor of Finance at Bayes Business School, City University.
PoliticsKalshi and Polymarket ban insider trading as senators look to curb prediction markets
<p>Top prediction market sites usher in new guardrails after senators introduced bill that could limit booming industry</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/10/kalshi-super-bowl">Kalshi</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2026/jan/30/polymarket-prediction-markets-betting">Polymarket</a>, the two biggest prediction market sites, rushed to institute new industry guardrails and add new surveillance tools on Monday after two key senators <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/23/bipartisan-senate-bill-sports-betting-ban">announced</a> legislation that could severely curtail the industry’s prospects.</p><p>Kalshi said it would ban political candidates from trading on their own campaigns, and it would pre-emptively block anyone involved in college or professional sports from trading contracts related to the sports they play or are employed by.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/24/kalshi-polym...
FinanceOil rises as markets assess supply risk after Iran denies US talks - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxQNTAzcnlQVGZUNHlIbmhqMWt0ZS1sN3RYclMyTGd1endqLVhRTkJ5N2tVaG9ZODlQUjhRMTlWcmFCQmtUOXlqVVRROUM4SXNoQUJJRUZHeUlkTXYtQzN3QzJmSmV2dGw1U2RyaXNiblRsQkptWFpZampBeXZEVmlyVVhpaW9tdVd1WldBRDQzRnl0bFgzbi1iODJhVzlrVXF6ZHV4ZnMxakxoOUljZXl2TUd0TjRjaGs?oc=5" target="_blank">Oil rises as markets assess supply risks after Iran denies US talks</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
PoliticsKalshi and Polymarket place new bans on insider trading as senators move to curb prediction markets - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxPOUpIVzlFaHRHY0x4S196bU9WSTBhQS13SjZsU0swMk9Pc3RfdklQYlkwdndRTU5oaEtqeVZkRlhXRW1ORDEwcmhOTjJkdmhILTdFcW9IUEpVVVluQXNsZnFUT1BaRV9FMnJQXzRPaFpHaTExUXFVV3RCcWpBaHlXc3FKZUwzSmlaZ2wtUzRRRHFBb0dQRlVld25GdGVLSXJBdVVvSmV5T2xZZDB0M05GRndoWU9tZlNEbXMtc2tIdlI?oc=5" target="_blank">Kalshi and Polymarket place new bans on insider trading as senators move to curb prediction markets</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
PoliticsLawmakers ramp up fight against sports betting on prediction markets
The political battle over sports betting on prediction markets is heating up as professional leagues dive deeper into the national gambling frenzy. Lawmakers in both parties are attempting to stifle the growing popularity of sports betting on prediction markets as a top Trump administration regulator champions the new and controversial platforms. An unlikely coalition of…
FinanceHow does the current global oil crisis compare with the 1973 oil embargo?
The 1973 oil embargo removed 4.5 million barrels per day from global supply. Today, that figure stands at 20 million.
Mysterious trading patterns follow Trump into war
<div>Data: Yahoo Finance; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals</div><p>An epidemic of suspicious trading has emerged around President Trump's <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/trump-iran-economy-bonds" target="_blank">most consequential decisions</a> — each time, just minutes or hours before he rattles global markets, according to exchange data.</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> As the <a href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran war</a> sends prices soaring for ordinary Americans, a select few appear to be profiting in plain sight. It's precisely the kind of alleged corruption Trump built his political career <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/full-transcript-donald-trump-nomination-acceptance-speech-at-rnc-225974" target="_blank">railing against</a>.</p><hr><ul><li>Democrats, favored to win the House in November, already are <a href="https://democrats-financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415221" target="_blank">lay...
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
Pentagon's limits on press access unconstitutional, US judge rules - Reuters
The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires
