Do Not Attack Iran’s Gas Infrastructure Again – Trump Tells Netanyahu
United States President Donald Trump has disclosed that he cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching additional attacks on Iran’s gas facilities, as tensions escalate over recent strikes that have unsettled global energy markets.
Speaking on Thursday, Trump said he directly advised Netanyahu not to target Iranian gas fields following Israel’s reported strike on the South Pars gas field. The attack triggered retaliatory action from Iran, which subsequently struck energy sites in Qatar.
“I told him, don’t do that, and he won’t do that,” Trump said during remarks at the Oval Office, emphasising that while the United States and Israel maintain close coordination, there are instances where their actions may diverge.
Trump had earlier stated on social media that he was unaware of Israel’s strike prior to its execution. However, US officials indicated that Washington had prior knowledge of the operation, although it did not take part.
Read Also:
The US president reiterated that his administration has so far refrained from directly targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing concerns over the impact on global oil prices. The ongoing conflict, now approaching three weeks, has already triggered volatility in international energy markets.
Despite this restraint, Trump issued a strong warning to Tehran, stating that the United States would respond decisively if Iran continued its attacks on regional energy assets. He specifically threatened severe consequences for further strikes on the South Pars facility.
Iran, in response, has adopted a defiant posture, warning it would exercise “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure is targeted again.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with limited clarity on its duration or the long-term objectives of the US-Israel alliance. While Trump maintains that the campaign is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and dismantling its missile and naval capabilities, he has not outlined a detailed post-conflict strategy.
In contrast, Netanyahu has been more explicit, calling for internal political change in Iran. Early in the conflict, an Israeli strike reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
With global markets remaining on edge, analysts warn that sustained disruptions to energy infrastructure could have significant economic repercussions, particularly as the United States approaches its midterm elections later this year.
By PRNigeria
