The United States and Israel have reportedly disagreed over Israel’s large-scale strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure, with American officials expressing concern about the scope and potential consequences of the operation. According to reports, the episode marked the first major rift between the two allies since the war began on February 28.
Israeli airstrikes targeted around 30 Iranian fuel depots, an operation that went significantly beyond what Washington had expected when it was informed in advance. A senior US official said the attacks were “not a good idea,” while another source indicated that the reaction conveyed to Israel reflected surprise at the scale of the action. An adviser to US President Donald Trump said he was uncomfortable with targeting oil depots and preferred to avoid damage to energy infrastructure.
Fresh strikes triggered large fires in parts of Tehran, with flames and thick smoke visible across sections of the city. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the targeted fuel depots were used by the Iranian government to supply fuel to multiple users, including military units. Israeli officials also described the operation as a warning aimed at deterring attacks on Israeli civilian infrastructure.
US officials, however, voiced concern that striking facilities linked to everyday civilian energy use could produce unintended effects. They warned that dramatic visuals of burning fuel sites might strengthen domestic support for Iran’s leadership and unsettle global energy markets.
Although Israeli and American officials confirmed that prior notification had been given, US authorities said they were surprised by the breadth of the strikes. Concerns in Washington focused on the possibility that even attacks on fuel storage—rather than oil production—could still influence market sentiment and push crude prices higher.
The White House and the Israeli military declined to comment on the reported differences. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities warned that continued attacks on oil infrastructure could trigger retaliatory strikes across the region. A spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said Iran had so far refrained from targeting regional energy facilities but could reconsider if hostilities escalated. He cautioned that broader strikes on oil infrastructure could drive global crude prices sharply upward.
Oil markets have already reacted to the conflict. Crude prices climbed past $100 per barrel for the first time in more than three years as fighting expanded across key energy-producing and transit zones in the Middle East. Despite the spike, President Trump described the rise as temporary and said it was a small price to pay for long-term security.
Market anxiety remains focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital maritime corridor for global energy transport. Ongoing military exchanges and shipping disruptions in the Gulf region have intensified fears of supply interruptions, adding volatility to international oil markets as the conflict enters its second week.
