Trump warns Netanyahu against striking Iranian gas fields amid tensions

Donald Trump says he has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against further attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure, as tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Speaking on Thursday, Trump said he had advised Netanyahu not to target gas fields, distancing the United States from a recent Israeli strike that has unsettled global energy markets.

“I told him, don’t do that, and he won’t do that,” Trump said, adding that while both countries coordinate closely, there are instances where actions are taken independently.

Trump insisted he was unaware of Wednesday’s Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field before it occurred, despite reports from US sources indicating prior knowledge of the operation.

The attack triggered a retaliatory response from Iran, which targeted energy facilities in Qatar, raising fears of further escalation across the region.

The developments have heightened concerns over global energy supply disruptions, with markets reacting to the risk of prolonged instability.

Conflicting signals on the US position

While maintaining that the US has refrained from directly targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, Trump issued a warning on his Truth Social platform, threatening to “massively” strike the South Pars field if Tehran continues attacks on regional assets.

The mixed messaging reflects ongoing uncertainty about Washington’s strategic posture in the conflict, which has entered its third week.

Trump has maintained that the objective of the military campaign is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to weaken its missile and naval capabilities.

War fuels oil price fears, economic concerns

The conflict, which began on February 28, has already driven a spike in global oil prices, raising concerns about potential economic fallout, particularly in the United States, ahead of key midterm elections.

Although Trump has expressed confidence that energy prices will stabilise once the conflict ends, markets remain volatile amid unclear timelines and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

While Trump has focused on military and strategic objectives, Netanyahu has taken a more aggressive stance, openly calling for internal political change in Iran.

The divergence highlights potential differences in long-term goals between the two allies, even as they continue to coordinate on military operations.

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