Trump says he told Netanyahu to avoid Iran's oil and gas fields

2026-03-20 - 07:19

President Donald Trump disclosed on Thursday that he personally advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking Iranian oil and gas facilities, revealing a rare public constraint on Israel's military operations. The comments followed a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict after Israeli forces targeted Iran's South Pars natural gas field, the country's largest energy asset. When asked by reporters whether he had discussed targeting Iranian energy infrastructure with Netanyahu, Trump responded affirmatively: “Yeah, I did, I did. I told him, don’t do that and he won’t do that.” The president characterized the US-Israeli relationship as generally well-coordinated, though he acknowledged occasional unilateral actions by Israel. “But on occasion, he'll do something. And if I don't like it ... we're not doing that anymore,” Trump added, suggesting his authority to curb Israeli military decisions. Energy Infrastructure at Center of Escalating Conflict Trump's remarks come after Israel launched strikes on South Pars, a massive natural gas field that serves as a cornerstone of Iran's economy. The attack marked a sharp escalation in the US-Israeli military campaign against Tehran, which began on Feb. 28. Iran responded with a forceful warning, declaring it would show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure faced further attacks. Tehran subsequently launched strikes on energy facilities across the region, targeting sites in Qatar and Kuwait. Global Energy Markets React to Rising Tensions The widening conflict has sent shockwaves through international energy markets, with both oil and natural gas prices surging as traders price in the risk of broader supply disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which a significant portion of global energy supplies transits, remains under effective Iranian control, adding to concerns about sustained price volatility. As Washington and Tel Aviv continue their joint campaign, Trump's public effort to limit the scope of Israeli strikes reflects growing unease about the economic consequences of targeting Iran's energy sector.