Scoop: U.S. asks Israel to halt strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure

"The Trump administration cited three reasons for its request, according to a source with knowledge of the matter: Such strikes harm the Iranian public, a large portion of which opposes the regime. Trump aims to cooperate with Iran's oil sector after the war - similar to the approach he has taken with Venezuela. The strikes could trigger massive Iranian retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure across Gulf states."

"A source familiar with the details said Trump views strikes on Iran's energy and oil facilities as a "doomsday option" - something to be held in reserve only if Iran deliberately attacks Gulf oil facilities first. Trump telegraphed that posture publicly, warning Monday that Iran will be hit "20 times harder" if it harms global oil supplies."

"Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. will "take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again." The source claimed Trump was hinting at potential attacks on Iranian oil facilities."

Israeli strikes on Tehran created toxic black smoke and acid rain, prompting U.S. intervention at senior political levels. The Trump administration requested restraint on Iranian oil facility strikes for three reasons: protecting Iranian civilians who oppose the regime, enabling future oil sector cooperation similar to Venezuela policy, and preventing massive Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy infrastructure. Trump views strikes on Iranian energy facilities as a "doomsday option" reserved only if Iran attacks Gulf oil first. The administration publicly warned Iran of "20 times harder" responses if it harms global oil supplies. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also criticized the Israeli strikes, advocating for cautious target selection to preserve Iran's post-conflict recovery potential.

Read at Axios