WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV: In the first major sign of discord between the two closest allies in the West Asia conflict, the United States reportedly conveyed a blunt message of “WTF” to Israel after learning the full scale of its strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure, according to a report by Axios.
The strikes on Saturday, March 7, which hit 30 Iranian fuel depots and triggered massive fires across Tehran, went far beyond what Washington had anticipated when it was notified in advance. A senior US official stated plainly, “We don’t think it was a good idea.”
The Scale of the Strikes and US Reaction
Fresh Israeli airstrikes targeted fuel depots across Iran, with flames visible from miles away and thick smoke engulfing parts of the capital. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated the targeted depots were used by the Iranian regime to supply fuel to various consumers, including its military units.
However, the sheer breadth of the operation took the White House by surprise.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Target | 30 Iranian fuel depots |
| US Reaction | Blunt “WTF” message conveyed to Israel; described as “not a good idea” |
| Reason for US Concern | Fear of unintended consequences: rallying public support in Iran, pushing global oil prices higher |
| Israeli Justification | Targeting fuel used by military; sending a warning to stop targeting Israeli civilian infrastructure |
A Trump advisor explained the President’s perspective to Axios: “The President doesn’t like the attack. He wants to save oil. He doesn’t want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices.”
Oil Prices and Market Fears
The strikes come as global oil prices have already surged past $100 a barrel for the first time in over three and a half years, driven by the escalating conflict and fears for key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
While US officials worry that images of massive fuel depots burning will further rattle energy markets, President Trump downplayed the spike, calling it a “very small price to pay for world peace” in a post on Truth Social.
“Short-term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for USA, and the world, safety and peace. Only fools would think differently!” he wrote.
Iran’s Warning
Tehran has warned that continued attacks on its oil infrastructure could trigger retaliation across the region. A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, which oversees military operations, stated that Tehran has so far avoided targeting fuel and energy infrastructure elsewhere but could reconsider.
He cautioned that if Iran begins striking such facilities, global oil prices could surge to as high as $200 per barrel.
A New Dynamic in the Alliance
The reported disagreement marks a significant moment in the conflict, which began on February 28. While Israel and the US have coordinated closely, this incident reveals a potential divergence in strategy, with Washington more concerned about the global economic fallout and civilian perception, while Jerusalem focuses on degrading Iranian military capabilities.
The White House and the IDF have declined to comment on the Axios report.
