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Evidence and reporting reviewed in the article suggest that during the Iran-related conflict, some traders may have used insider details to profit from oil-price moves.<\/p>\n

It cites an ABC News report saying the U.S. Department of Justice and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are investigating several large oil futures transactions-totaling more than $2.6 billion across four reviewed trades-that were made shortly before key moments in the war, when predictions that oil prices would fall appear to have been timed in a highly specific way. The piece highlights examples tied<\/a> to announcements and developments involving U.S. actions and events around the Strait of Hormuz, including bets placed minutes to hours before public announcements.<\/p>\n

The article also notes that such activity appears consistent with wider concerns raised by The Guardian about unusually synchronized event betting through online platforms<\/a>. It references complaints alleging smaller groups of \u201cinsiders\u201d profited from bets tied to events they allegedly knew about in advance,and it quotes legal experts explaining that proving illegality can be difficult-because some trades may be based on lawful information or luck-while also pointing out that the scale and timing make some bets look notably suspicious. <\/p>\n