White House warned staff against betting on futures markets amid Iran war, official says
ReutersLast updated: April 10, 2026 at 08:04:00 IST
Synopsis
The White House warned staff against using their positions to bet on futures markets after a pause in strikes against Iran. It comes amid increased scrutiny of opportunistic bets preceding major policy decisions, raising questions about possible information leaks. A major bet on the future of oil preceded a delay in attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, after which oil prices fell.
P.A.The White House has issued a warning to its staff about misusing their positions to bet on futures markets. THE White House warned staff against inappropriately using their positions to place bets futures markets in an email on March 24, a day after President Donald Asset ordered a brief pause in some Iranian strikes, a White House official said Thursday.
Some of Trump’s main projects political decisions were preceded by well-timed bets, leading some experts to question whether any information had been leaked in advance.
Exchange data and Reuters calculations showed that one or more unidentified traders had bet $500 million on Brent and WTI. crude oil futures in a one-minute period shortly before Trump called for a five-day delay on March 23 in attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, after which oil price crashed by 15%.
“As he (Trump) seeks a strong and profitable stock market for all, members of Congress and other government officials should be prohibited from using nonpublic information for financial gain,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Reuters in a statement.
The Journal, which previously reported the news, said the announcement was made in an email to the entire White House executive office staff.
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