The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are jointly investigating a series of suspicious short positions in the crude oil market. According to an exclusive report by ABC News, mysterious traders placed large bearish bets totaling $2.6 billion just minutes before President Donald Trump or Iranian officials released key geopolitical updates that triggered oil price declines.
Four Trades Timed 15-20 Minutes Before News
Data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) reveals four abnormal transactions: On March 23, a $500 million short position appeared 15 minutes before Trump announced a delay in a threatened attack on Iran's power grid. On April 7, a $960 million short bet was placed hours before Trump announced a temporary ceasefire. On April 17, a $760 million short order hit the market 20 minutes before Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on social media that the Strait of Hormuz was open. On April 21, $430 million in shorts arrived 15 minutes before Trump formalized an extension of the ceasefire. All trades were bearish and executed consistently 15-20 minutes ahead of market-moving announcements.
Oil prices plunged immediately after each announcement, generating substantial profits for the pre-positioned shorts. While LSEG data does not identify traders or constitute direct proof of insider trading, the pattern is enough to trigger federal criminal and civil investigations. The DOJ and CFTC declined to comment on specific trades; investigators are now tracing money flows and communication records to uncover who leaked sensitive diplomatic negotiations.
This $2.6 billion scandal undermines faith in market fairness and hints at a possible network of interests behind high-stakes geopolitics. Further developments in the probe are expected.