Lawmakers’ Suspiciously Timed Defense Stock Trades Before US Strikes on Iran
As tensions between the US and Iran reached a boiling point, several members of Congress made notable investments in defense stocks just days before the US launched military strikes on Iranian targets. The timing has raised serious questions about potential insider trading and conflicts of interest.
Key Defense Stock Trades Before Iran Attack
| Politician | Stock Purchased | Trade Date | Disclosure Date | Current Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sen. John Boozman | Raytheon (RTX) | May 30 | June 15 | +7.44% |
| Sen. Markwayne Mullin | L3Harris (LHX) | May 13 | June 11 | +14% |
| Rep. Gil Cisneros | Northrop Grumman (NOC) | May 30 | June 6 | +2.67% |
| Rep. Julie Johnson | General Dynamics (GD) | May 2 | June 13 | +2.1% |
Why These Trades Are Raising Eyebrows
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All four stocks surged following US military action against Iran.
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Raytheon (+7.4%) and L3Harris (+14%) saw particularly strong gains—both supply missile systems used in Middle East conflicts.
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Lawmakers sit on key military/foreign affairs committees, giving them access to sensitive geopolitical intelligence.
The Bigger Problem: Legal But Unethical?
While no laws were technically broken (trades were disclosed as required), the optics are troubling:
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Defense stocks typically rise during global conflicts—did politicians profit from advance knowledge?
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The STOCK Act (2012) bans insider trading in Congress, but enforcement is weak.
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Public trust erodes when lawmakers appear to capitalize on war.
Market Impact & What’s Next
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Defense sector up 5-15% since strikes as investors anticipate prolonged Middle East tensions.
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Watchdogs demand investigations into whether classified briefings influenced trades.
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Calls grow for stricter congressional trading bans to prevent conflicts of interest.
