Axios reported on 10/3, citing three informed sources, that the US sent a request to "stop attacking Iranian energy infrastructure" to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commander Eyal Zamir via a high-level political channel. This marks the first time the US has asked its ally for restraint since the two countries launched an offensive against Iran on 28/2.

The message was conveyed after Israel struck several oil storage depots in Tehran on the evening of 7/3. The airstrike caused large fires at oil refining facilities, with black smoke creating a dark haze across the city at dawn. In previous attacks, the US and Israel primarily targeted military and security objectives and Iranian leadership.

"The US asked us to notify them in advance if Israel launches any further strikes targeting Iranian oil infrastructure," an Israeli official said.

Smoke and flames rise from an oil storage depot in Tehran after an Israeli airstrike on 7/3. *Photo: AFP*

Washington provided three reasons for asking Tel Aviv not to target oil facilities. US leaders aim to limit harm to Iranian civilians to "maintain a wave of discontent" with the country's government. The US also worries that such strikes would prompt Iran to attack energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

US President Donald Trump still wants to keep open the possibility of cooperation with Iran's oil and gas sector after the conflict ends, similar to the policy he is applying with Venezuela.

In the initial phase of the conflict, Iranian drones attacked energy facilities in the Gulf, but did not cause severe, irreparable damage. Washington fears that if Tel Aviv continues to strike Tehran's oil industry, the Iranian military could expand its retaliatory attacks and cause global oil prices to surge.

A source stated that Trump considers attacking Iranian oil and gas facilities an "apocalyptic option," to be used only if Iran actively sabotages oil supplies across the region.

The White House and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office have not commented on the information.

At a press conference on 10/3, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that attacking Iranian oil facilities "does not align with the objectives" Washington initially set. However, he rejected the notion that Israel intends to draw the US deeper into the conflict. "We are not being pulled in any direction. The US is leading," he said.

Surging oil prices have made the conflict with Iran a sensitive issue in US politics. A Quinnipiac poll released on 10/3 showed that 53% of Americans oppose military action against Iran, while most Israelis support the campaign.

In an interview with CBS earlier this week, President Trump suggested the war is nearing its end, despite previously stating with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the campaign could last weeks or months.

Michael Singh, managing director of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, observed that the objectives of Washington and Tel Aviv are generally similar but not entirely identical. "Israel wants Iran to be permanently weakened, while the US may prioritize an earlier end to the conflict due to other strategic interests in different regions," he said.

Thanh Danh (According to Axios, Reuters, Times of Israel)