'Not good...': Israeli bombing on Iranian oil depots angers US
What's the story
The United States and Israel have reportedly clashed over Israel's recent strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure. Axios, citing a US official, an Israeli official and a source with knowledge, said the scale of the operation was beyond what the US had anticipated, with a senior American official saying it was "not a good idea." The disagreement marks the first major rift between the two allies since hostilities erupted on February 28.
Operation details
Israel's strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure
Israel's airstrikes on Iranian oil infrastructure triggered massive fires in Tehran, with smoke visible from miles away. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the targeted fuel depots "are used by the Iranian regime to supply fuel to different consumers, including its military organs." An Israeli military official added that the strikes were meant to warn Tehran against targeting Israeli civilian infrastructure.
Unintended consequences
US taken aback by scale of attacks
Per Axios, Israeli and US officials said the IDF had notified the US military ahead of the strikes. But US officials were surprised by the scale of the attacks. A senior US official said, "We don't think it was a good idea," while another Israeli official revealed that Washington's message to Israel was a blunt "WTF." The strikes have raised fears in Washington, as they could rally public support for the Iranian regime and push global oil prices higher.
Presidential stance
Trump advisor claims President didn't like idea of targeting oil
While the facilities that were attacked were not oil production facilities, US authorities are afraid that footage of burning stockpiles may frighten oil markets and drive energy prices higher. A Trump advisor told Axios that the US President "didn't like the idea" of targeting oil depots. The advisor said, "The President doesn't like the attack. He wants to save oil. He doesn't want to burn it."
Regional tensions
Iran warns of regional retaliation, threatens to target energy infrastructure
Iran has warned that continued attacks on infrastructure could lead to retaliation "without delay" across the region. A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters said Tehran could reconsider its stance on not targeting fuel and energy infrastructure. The spokesperson warned that if such actions were taken, global oil prices could soar up to $200 per barrel.
Price reaction
Oil prices surge past $100 a barrel
Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel for the first time in over three years due to fears of supply disruptions from the conflict. However, Trump downplayed the spike, calling it a "very small price to pay for world peace." He wrote on Truth Social that short-term oil prices would drop rapidly once the Iran nuclear threat is neutralized.