The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Israel not to carry out new strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, particularly its oil infrastructure, according to a report by Axios citing three sources familiar with the matter.
According to the sources, the message was conveyed to Israel’s military leadership, including the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir.
U.S. officials reportedly said that attacks on energy infrastructure would mainly harm the Iranian population, parts of which are already opposed to the authorities in Tehran.
At the same time, Washington believes such strikes could trigger stronger Iranian retaliation against energy facilities in countries across the Persian Gulf and further disrupt the global oil market.
According to the sources, the United States wants to keep the option of striking Iran’s oil infrastructure as a last resort, in case Iran first targets energy facilities in the region.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States had not participated in attacks on such targets. The White House, the Israeli embassy in Washington, and the Israeli military have not yet commented on the claims.
