Israeli airstrikes on Iranian fuel depots over the weekend have for the first time, caused significant disagreements between Israel and the US since their joint war against Iran began on February 28.
As per state media, Israeli authorities had informed Washington in advance that the strikes were planned, though the ultimate scale of the operation far exceeded the US estimates, leading to Washington’s anger
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The Israeli Air Force targeted around 30 fuel depots across Iran on Saturday, setting off massive fires in the capital Tehran that sent flames and thick smoke visible for miles across the city.
According to IDF officials, the depots were being used by the Iranian government to supply fuel to various sectors, including military units.
An Israeli military official said the attacks were also intended to signal that Iran should halt its own strikes on Israeli civilian infrastructure.
Despite prior notification, US officials said the breadth of the operation caught Washington off guard.
One senior US official called the strikes unexpected and said that Washington certainly did not consider the attack a good idea.
An Israeli official familiar with the exchange said the message from Washington was quite surprising.
Neither the White House nor the IDF issued any official comments on the disagreement.
Although the facilities targeted were storage depots rather than oil production sites, US officials are concerned that images of burning fuel infrastructure could lead to alarm across global energy markets and lead to a further rise in oil prices.
One of President Donald Trump’s aides said that the president was uneasy about attacks that could disrupt energy markets, warning that they risk reminding voters of rising fuel costs.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials warned that continued attacks on energy infrastructure could trigger a wider escalation. A spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates Iran’s military operations, warned that Tehran has so far pulled itself back from striking regional oil and fuel facilities, though if the attacks continue, then it would have to reconsider its policy.
He warned that if Iran were to target energy infrastructure across the region, global oil prices could soar as high as USD 200 per barrel.
Separately, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would respond without delay if the strikes on infrastructure continued.
As per US officials, the disagreements between Washington and Israel over the scope of the attacks is expected to be discussed at a senior level between the two nations.
