United States disappointed by Israeli strike on Iranian fuel depot
Istanbul — The United States is reported to be disappointed with the scale of Israel’s air strike against Iranian fuel depots over the weekend, marking a prominent first point of disagreement between the two allies since the onset of operations against Iran, according to reporting by Axios citing sources knowledgeable about the matter.
The report notes that the strike on Saturday targeted approximately 30 fuel depots across various regions of Iran, a number exceeding US officials’ expectations after Israel had previously informed Washington about the operation.
Major fires were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, following the strike, with thick smoke visible rising from fuel storage tanks and industrial areas.
A statement from the Israeli military said that the fuel depots targeted in the strike were used by the Iranian government to supply fuel to various parties, including its military units.
US officials stated that Israel had notified American military officials before the operation was carried out, but Washington was nonetheless shocked by the extensive scope of the strike.
“The President does not like strikes against oil facilities. He wants to save the oil, not burn it. And it reminds people of rising petrol prices,” said an adviser to US President Donald Trump.
US officials are concerned that strikes against infrastructure serving the Iranian public could have strategic repercussions by strengthening public support for Iran’s leadership and driving up global oil prices.
“We do not think that was a good idea,” said a senior US official.
The report notes that although the facilities struck were not oil production sites, officials in Washington are concerned that footage showing burning fuel depots could shake energy markets.
Iranian officials have warned that continued strikes against energy infrastructure could trigger retaliation.
A spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, which oversees military operations, said Tehran could respond with similar strikes across various regions if such strikes continue.
He added that Iran has so far avoided targeting energy infrastructure in the region, but warned that should such action be taken, global oil prices could surge to 200 US dollars (approximately Rp3.4 million) per barrel.
Iran’s Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also warned that Tehran would carry out retaliation “without delay” if strikes against infrastructure continue.
Tensions in the region have escalated since Israel and the US launched a dual strike against Iran on Saturday, 28 February 2026, which killed more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and wounded more than 10,000 others, according to Iranian authorities.
Iran subsequently launched retaliatory strikes using missiles and drones targeting Israel, Iraq, Jordan and Gulf nations where US military assets are located, in the form of self-defence.