Washington: The Trump administration has reportedly requested that Israel refrain from further strikes on Iranian energy facilities, particularly focusing on oil infrastructure, as per a report by Axios citing three sources familiar with the issue.

According to Anadolu Agency, the messages were delivered at a senior political level and conveyed directly to the Israeli army's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, through an Israeli official. The United States expressed concerns that such strikes could harm ordinary Iranian citizens, many of whom are believed to be opposed to the government in Tehran. The Trump administration is also interested in future cooperation with Iran's oil sector once the ongoing conflict subsides, and fears that attacks on energy infrastructure might lead to significant Iranian retaliation against Gulf oil facilities.

The Trump administration perceives strikes on Iranian energy assets as a "doomsday option," to be executed only if Iran were to first target Gulf oil infrastructure, as reported by a source to Axios. This request from the US followed reports indicating dissatisfaction with the extent of Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots over the previous weekend.