US-Israel rift widens over scale of Iran oil depot strikes

2026-03-09 - 08:52

Tensions have emerged between Washington and Tel Aviv following Israeli strikes on Iranian oil depots that went beyond what the US expected, according to sources cited by Axios. While Israel informed the US ahead of the operation, the scale of the attacks has created a divergence of views between the two allies. A US official acknowledged that Washington "did not think it was a good idea," adding that the disagreement would be addressed in high-level political discussions. Trump's oil concerns and Iran's retaliation warning The report claimed that a Trump advisor indicated the president "wants to protect oil," suggesting concern that escalating energy infrastructure attacks could destabilize global markets. The strikes targeted petroleum storage facilities in and around Tehran, drawing a sharp response from Iranian military officials who warned that any continued targeting of the country's energy infrastructure would result in attacks on oil facilities across the region. The warning puts Gulf states hosting US assets in a precarious position. Regional conflict enters new phase The US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, even as diplomatic talks were ongoing between Tehran and Washington. Iran has responded with strikes against Israel as well as US targets in Gulf nations including Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain. The death toll from US-Israeli strikes has reached 1,332, according to Iranian officials, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei among those killed. The expanding conflict now threatens critical energy infrastructure with potentially severe implications for global oil supplies and prices. Broader implications for Türkiye and regional stability For energy-importing nations like Türkiye, the escalating confrontation carries significant risks. Any disruption to Gulf oil facilities or shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger price volatility and supply concerns. Ankara continues to monitor the situation closely as it maintains dialogue with all parties while seeking to protect its economic interests and regional stability. The US-Israeli disagreement over tactics suggests potential cracks in the alliance's approach to the conflict, though both remain committed to degrading Iranian military capabilities.