Overview
- Israel hit roughly 30 oil depots and related facilities in and around Tehran and Karaj over the weekend, igniting large fires, triggering black oily “toxic rain,” and prompting Iranian authorities to warn residents to stay indoors.
- Axios reported that U.S. officials were taken aback by the scope of the strikes, with a senior official saying they did not think it was a good idea and an Israeli official describing Washington’s reaction as “WTF.”
- An adviser to President Donald Trump told Axios the president disliked the attack because he wants to preserve oil supplies and avoid reminding Americans of higher gas prices.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham issued rare public criticism urging Israel to be cautious about target selection, arguing Iran’s oil economy would be essential for rebuilding after any regime change, even as he touted future oil partnerships on Fox News and predicted intensified attacks.
- Graham separately warned Saudi Arabia that consequences would follow if it refuses to use its military against Iran, as Iran continued missile and drone strikes across Gulf states and tanker traffic and oil prices swung sharply, including overnight spikes reported near $120 a barrel.