Questions over alleged insider trading ahead of key Iran war announcements

Questions over alleged insider trading ahead of key Iran war announcementsCity traders and investors have apparently placed huge bets on oil prices shortly before President Trump announces market moving developments in the Middle East conflictMoneyGraham Hiscott Business and Consumer Editor11:26, 20 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesData shows spike in bets on movement of oil sharply before Donald Trump has made market moving comments on the Middle East war(Image: Getty)Fresh suspicions of insider trading since the start of the Iran war have been raised.‌The BBC claims that City traders have made millions by placing bets on movements in financial markets just before US President Donald Trump has made major announcements.‌It says it found a “consistent pattern” of spikes in bets being made hours, or sometimes just minutes, before a social media post or media interview was made public.‌Some analysts told the BBC they had the hallmarks of illegal insider trading, where bets are made based on information not available to the general public.Others say it is more complicated and that traders and financial firms are getting better at anticipating the President’s next moves.View 3 ImagesFluctuating oil and share prices have allowed City traders to make a packet ‌READ MORE: Oil prices surge after Trump announces Iranian tanker seized and Strait of Hormuz closedREAD MORE: Aer Lingus 'to cancel hundreds of flights' as major UK airports impactedIt follows other reports recently pointing to suspicious wagers being placed since the start of the Middle East conflict that resulted in huge windfalls.While betting is mostly associated with sports, it has spread to news events, with those with inside information given a crucial advantage.One example cited by the BBC was, nine days into the Iran war, when President Trump told CBS News in a phone interview that the conflict was “very complete, pretty much”.‌It says the first time the public knew about the interview was at 7.16pm UK time wi...