伊朗对霍尔木兹海峡船只的袭击不断增加，使得十月成为自战争爆发以来该水道最暴力的一个月之一，因为德黑兰希望在美国总统唐纳德·特朗普政治上处于脆弱状态之际，在中期选举前利用这一机会。
Iran’s increasing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have made October one of the most violent months in the waterway since the war began, as Tehran looks to exploit US President Donald Trump’s political vulnerability ahead of midterm elections.
过去24小时内，两艘阿联酋货船在被击中后沉没；伊朗官员告诉路透社，德黑兰正在故意加大袭击力度，以在11月3日之前保持油价高位。
Two Emirati cargo vessels sank in the past 24 hours after being struck; Iranian officials told Reuters that Tehran was deliberately ramping up strikes to keep oil prices elevated before Nov. 3.
华盛顿的缺乏回应是“引人注目的”，一位欧亚集团分析师说：“特朗普继续承诺将采取行动，但仅限于[中期选举]之后。”另一位分析师还指出，届时华盛顿可能更愿意参与沙特阿拉伯对胡塞武装的袭击：“特朗普倾向于让此事在之后发生。”
Washington’s lack of response is “remarkable,” a Eurasia Group analyst said: “Trump continues to promise action, but only after [midterms].”That’s also when Washington could be more amenable to joining Saudi Arabia’s strikes against the Houthis, another analyst suggested: “Trump’s preference is for it to happen afterwards.”