Bitcoin Falls to $81,256 as Brent Tops $112 on Iran Strike Concerns

Bitcoin (BTC) fell about 3% Thursday, touching $81,256 near the New York market open as Brent crude climbed above $112 amid concerns over possible U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Brent crude futures were at $111.64 at 2:26 a.m. ET (06:26 UTC). By 1:05 p.m. ET (17:05 UTC), they stood at $112.33 a barrel, up 3.2%. Bitcoin had traded near $85,000 on Wednesday before Thursday’s decline. Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and concerns about further supply disruption also contributed to oil’s rise.

Preparations for a possible post-election campaign have included energy sites, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone capabilities as potential targets. Aircraft also flew over Iraq in exercises designed to rehearse strike routes. The planning does not mean an attack has been approved; President Donald Trump could still decline to authorize action.

Trump had said earlier this month that U.S. forces would not strike Iran before the midterms. On Thursday, he said Washington was “not negotiating” with Tehran and that “something one way or another will happen, fairly soon.” The conflict began Feb. 28, so any new campaign would mark a return to major combat.