White House Expresses Shock After Israel Targets Iran’s Oil Infrastructure
US officials were reportedly surprised by the scale of Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots amid escalating regional conflict.
The White House was reportedly taken aback after Israel carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian fuel depots, with U.S. officials sending a blunt “WTF” message to Israeli counterparts following the operation, according to a report citing officials familiar with the matter.
Israeli forces targeted around 30 fuel depots and energy facilities in and around Tehran, triggering massive fires and thick smoke visible across parts of the Iranian capital. The attacks came amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran and were described by Israeli officials as part of a broader effort to weaken the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure.
Although the Israeli military reportedly notified the United States before the operation, officials in Washington said they were surprised by the scale and scope of the strikes. A senior U.S. official said the attack was “not a good idea,” while an Israeli official told Axios that the message conveyed by the U.S. afterward was a blunt “WTF,” reflecting the shock in Washington.
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The Israel Defense Forces said the fuel depots were used by the Iranian government to supply fuel to various consumers, including military units. Israeli officials also indicated that the strikes were intended to signal to Tehran that Israel would respond strongly to attacks targeting Israeli civilian infrastructure.
U.S. officials have expressed concern that striking fuel infrastructure, even if not directly targeting oil production, could have wider consequences. Images of burning fuel storage facilities could unsettle global energy markets and contribute to rising oil prices, according to officials cited in the report. An adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump said the president did not support targeting oil depots because it could fuel concerns about higher fuel costs.
Iran, meanwhile, warned that continued attacks on its energy infrastructure could prompt retaliation across the region. Iranian military officials suggested that if such strikes persist, Tehran could target fuel and energy facilities elsewhere in the Middle East, raising fears of broader escalation and potential disruptions to global oil supplies.
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