Reuters reported on Tuesday, speaking with multiple senior Iranian officials who explained that Tehran is deliberately delaying negoations with the US to hurt President Donald Trump’s Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections. 

“Iran is preparing for renewed Israeli and US attacks, not for a deal with America to end the war,” one of the officials said. “The clerical establishment is determined not to give Trump a political victory.”

Iranian economist Saeed Leylaz, who was arrested in 2009 for criticizing the Iranian government, told the outlet, “Iran is influencing the US election without taking any unlawful action.”

In a recent Fox News poll, three of the top six issues generating the greatest concern among voters are directly related to Trump’s war of choice against Iran. Over 80% of voters said they were very or extremely concerned about inflation and gas prices.

The war against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven Brent crude oil prices from $61 per barrel in January to $109 per barrel on Tuesday. Additionally, three-in-four voters told the Fox News pollsters they were very or extremely concerned about the war against Iran.

While Reuters reported speaking with Iranian officials who said Tehran was not seeking an immediate deal, on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi restated Tehran’s proposal for the rapid reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 

“If they comply with our conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen on the sixth day, and negotiations will begin on the seventh day,” he said. “Our conditions are fair, and if the United States is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it can meet them within a few days.”

Iran has demanded that the US meet its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz before nuclear negotiations begin. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program included in the negotiations from the outset.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a major issue in the war. Before the war, the Strait operated as an international shipping route. After the US and Israel attacked Iran, Tehran asserted control over shipping through the waterway and imposed new transit protocols. 

Iran has attacked vessels attempting to use the waterway without Tehran’s permission. As a fifth of the global oil supply exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait before the war, the US has attempted to escort tankers through the waterway to keep oil prices from spiking.

Washington has demanded that Tehran abandon claims to control over the Strait.