The US is surprised by Israel's attacks on Iran. Envoys will make an urgent visit.
The US is said to be surprised by Israel's attacks on Iran's oil storage facilities and infrastructure. The ally had previously informed Washington of its plans, but the scale of the attacks stunned the Donald Trump administration. "The president is not happy with this attack," one of his advisors said anonymously. That's not all – the US president's envoys are urgently traveling to Israel.
US-Israel tensions after attacks on Iran and oil depots
In Brief:
Israeli attacks on Iranian fuel depots far exceeded US expectations.
The Donald Trump administration was caught off guard by the scale of the Israeli strikes, and tensions between US and Israeli officials have erupted, according to media reports.
Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are scheduled to urgently visit Israel amid concerns about the attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
Axios, in describing the latest findings, cites American and Israeli officials and a source with knowledge of the matter.
As reported, Saturday's Israeli attacks on 30 Iranian fuel depots "far exceeded what the United States had expected."
Previously, Benjamin Netanyahu's government informed Washington of its plans in this regard. Despite this, the Trump administration was reportedly surprised by the scale of the attacks.
US-Israeli War on Iran: First Tension Between Allies?
"We don't think this is a good idea," a senior US official told Axios. The White House and Israeli forces have not officially commented.
"President Trump doesn't like this attack. He wants to save oil, not burn it. This reminds people of higher prices," one of the US leader's advisers said anonymously.
Axios even points to the "first significant misunderstanding" between the allies since the attacks on Iran began on February 28th.
The US is said to fear that Israeli attacks on infrastructure used by ordinary Iranians could backfire on Washington – leading to a rise in commodity prices and a crisis-hit Iranian society overwhelmingly siding with the regime.
Israeli forces, justifying the attacks, pointed out that the ayatollahs' regime also uses fuel depots to meet military needs.
After the attacks, Tehran threatened retaliatory strikes against similar targets in the region.
Urgent visit to Israel. Witkoff and Kushner en route, amid tensions over attacks in Iran
The Times of Israel reported on Monday that Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will arrive in Israel on Tuesday.
The urgent visit is expected to focus on the war with Iran – the decision to visit, according to media reports, was made after internal tensions between Israeli and American authorities over the scale of attacks on refineries and oil infrastructure.
An Israeli security official said that the attacks on oil infrastructure were intended to signal Tehran to stop striking civilian targets in Israel, the report said.
Previously, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized that the US would not attack Iran's critical infrastructure.
Sources: Axios, Times of Israel/Channel 12
The first clash between the US and Israel. Media: Americans reportedly raised serious concerns.
Israel attacked 30 Iranian fuel depots on Saturday, but did not do so with US support, Axios has determined. American and Israeli officials interviewed by the website said the first major disagreement between the allies in the Middle East war has broken out. The Trump administration reportedly raised "serious concerns."
On Saturday, Israel struck oil storage facilities in Tehran. Thick black smoke enveloped the Iranian capital, and the Iranian Red Crescent warned of possible toxic acid rain.
The next day, Tehran residents—interviewed by CNN—complained about extremely poor air quality and an "apocalyptic" image of the city. "We feel like we're suffocating," the report said.
Israel Attacks Oil Depots in Iran. Media: First Dispute with the US
Axios, citing a conversation with an American and Israeli official and familiar sources, reported that Israel notified the US of the attack in advance, but the plan was not approved.
"We don't think it was a good idea," the American said.
Oil prices have skyrocketed, and markets are panicking. Trump: A low price for peace
The United States, according to media reports, fears that Israeli strikes on facilities that also serve ordinary Iranians could backfire. Some Iranian citizens who support a coup and overthrow of power may support the regime.
Furthermore, there is fear of rising oil prices on global markets. "The president doesn't like attacks. He wants to conserve oil. He doesn't want to burn it. And he's reminding people about higher fuel prices," a Trump advisor told Axios.
Oil in Iran. Tehran Threatens Retaliation Across the Region
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that the hit fuel depots "are being used by the Iranian regime to supply fuel to various consumers, including military bodies."
Khatam al-Anbiya, spokesman for Iran's Central Command, warned on Saturday that if the destruction of Iranian oil infrastructure continues, Tehran could respond with similar attacks across the region. He emphasized that Iranian forces have not undertaken such operations so far.
Toxic Rain Following Iran Attacks. Residents Warned
A US official reportedly told Axios that the dispute between the US and Israel on this issue would be resolved at a high political level.
The US is threatening its allies and calling for an attack. "You will suffer the consequences."
Influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council allies on Monday that they will face consequences if they do not join in attacks on Iran, criticizing their lack of involvement in Iran's retaliatory attacks on American diplomatic missions.
The Gulf countries do not intend to give in to blackmail of course.
