U.S. Reportedly Asks Israel To Refrain From Further Strikes On Iranian Energy Facilities

The Trump administration asked Israel to refrain from striking more energy facilities in Iran as global prices continue to oscillate as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to a new report.

Axios detailed that the administration listed three reasons to back its request: that the strikes harm the Iranian public, something the countries are trying to avoid; Trump seeks to cooperate with the country's oil sector after the war, a scenario similar to the one taking place in Venezuela after the capture of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro; and the possibility that Iran targets energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

A source familiar with the Trump administration said such a scenario is reserved for a "doomsday option" and could only be executed if Iran attacks Gulf oil facilities first.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth distanced U.S. forces from Israeli airstrikes, saying they were part of the country's objectives, not the U.S.'s. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal supporter of the war and Israel, urged the country to take a step back as well.

"Please be cautious about what targets you select. Our goal is to liberate the Iranian people in a fashion that does not cripple their chance to start a new and better life when this regime collapses. The oil economy of Iran will be essential to that endeavor," he said in a social media publication.

Trump discussed the possibility of seizing Iranian oil, saying "people" have discussed the possibility. "Certainly people have talked about it," Trump told NBC News when asked whether the U.S. might pursue such a move. However, he noted that it is "too soon to talk about that."

Trump also warned Iran against disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, saying the country would be "hit by the United States twenty times harder than they have been hit thus far" if it interferes with the flow of crude.

The war has already disrupted energy flows across the region. Several refineries have reduced operations and shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed sharply. Qatar has also halted the cooling of natural gas for export, sending gas prices higher in Europe and Asia.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday an "international mission" to escort ships across the Strait of Hormuz and help reopen the key waterway. However, Tehran has threatened to keep it closed to inflict economic pain across the world in retaliation for the war.