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The United States has reportedly urged Israel to stop further strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure over concerns that it could worsen global oil markets.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: Last weekend, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting Iran’s oil and fuel infrastructure, hitting multiple storage depots, fuel distribution facilities, and energy sites in and around Tehran. The strikes ignited large fires and caused significant damage to fuel reserves and storage capacity. Israel said its campaign focused on crippling logistical energy assets used to supply the Iranian military and broader economy, but the attacks also disrupted Iran’s exporting market. This has led to anger from China, which purchases the majority of Iran’s crude oil, raising concerns in China that continued attacks on Iran’s energy sector could threaten its energy security and further destabilize global oil markets.
What’s going on now: First reported by Axios, citing a senior Israeli official and other sources familiar with the discussions, the United States asked Israel to refrain from carrying out additional strikes on Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure. According to the report, the message was delivered at a senior political level and also relayed directly to Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir. The request reportedly stems from strategic concerns that continued attacks on Iranian energy facilities could provoke large scale retaliation from Tehran against oil infrastructure across the Gulf, potentially dragging other regional producers into the conflict and severely disrupting global supply.
Another concern cited in the report is that strikes on fuel depots and distribution networks could harm ordinary Iranian civilians who rely on those facilities, many of whom US officials believe are not supportive of Iran’s ruling government.
Axios also reported that the Trump administration views attacks on Iran’s energy sector as a “doomsday option,” something that should only be used if Iran itself first targets major Gulf oil infrastructure. Officials are also said to believe preserving parts of Iran’s oil sector could be important after the conflict, particularly if future economic cooperation or stabilization efforts involve Iran’s energy industry.
The Pentagon has not confirmed or denied that such a request was made to Israel.
Despite all of this, a spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threatened that if attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure continue, Iran would retaliate by disrupting oil exports across the Middle East. The spokesperson warned that global oil prices could surge dramatically, suggesting crude could spike above $200 per barrel if the conflict escalates.
