A disagreement has emerged between the administration of Donald Trump and Israel over Israeli airstrikes targeting fuel infrastructure in Iran. The development comes as global crude oil prices surged past $100 per barrel amid growing concerns that the expanding conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global energy supplies.

According to a report by Axios, Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots went much further than U.S. officials had expected. Israel had informed Washington before launching the operation, but the scale of the attack surprised American officials. The report described the situation as the first major disagreement between the two allies since the conflict began eight days ago.

The Israeli military reportedly carried out strikes on around 30 fuel depots across Iran on Saturday. The attacks caused large fires in the capital city, Tehran. Flames from the burning depots were visible for miles, and thick smoke covered several parts of the city following the strikes.

The Israel Defence Forces stated that the targeted fuel depots were connected to the Iranian government’s logistics network. In a statement, the military said the depots “are used by the Iranian regime to supply fuel to different consumers, including its military organs.”

An Israeli military official said the operation was also meant to send a message to Tehran to stop targeting Israeli civilian infrastructure. According to officials, the Israeli military informed the U.S. military about the planned strikes before they took place. However, a U.S. official said Washington did not expect the operation to be carried out on such a large scale.

“We don't think it was a good idea,” a senior U.S. official told the publication.

An Israeli official described the American reaction in stronger terms. The official said the message conveyed by the United States was “WTF.”

Neither the White House nor the Israeli military has publicly commented on the reported disagreement between the two countries.

Although the facilities that were hit were not oil production sites, U.S. officials expressed concern that images of burning fuel depots could affect global energy markets. There are fears that such visuals could increase uncertainty about energy supplies and lead to further price increases.

A Trump adviser explained the president’s view on the matter. “The president doesn't like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn't want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices,” the adviser told Axios.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have warned that continued attacks on the country’s energy-related infrastructure could trigger retaliation. A spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates military operations, said Tehran has so far avoided targeting fuel and energy infrastructure elsewhere in the region.

However, the spokesperson warned that if attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure continue, Iran could respond with similar strikes across the Middle East. The official also warned that such escalation could sharply drive up global oil prices. According to the spokesman, prices could rise as high as $200 per barrel if the conflict intensifies.

Separately, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Iran would retaliate “without delay” if attacks on its infrastructure continue.

A U.S. official told Axios that the disagreement between Washington and Israel over the strikes is likely to be discussed at senior political levels between the two allies.

Energy markets have already reacted strongly to the growing conflict and the risk of damage to infrastructure. The main U.S. oil benchmark rose more than 30 per cent early Monday. By 0230 GMT, West Texas Intermediate crude had increased by 30.04 per cent to $118.21 per barrel before easing slightly. At the same time, Brent crude rose 27.54 per cent to $118.22 per barrel.

Both benchmarks had already recorded major gains the previous week. Brent crude had climbed about 27 per cent, while West Texas Intermediate rose 35.6 per cent during the same period. The surge pushed crude prices to levels not seen in nearly four years.

The wider conflict between Israel and Iran has also expanded geographically. Israel’s military said it carried out strikes targeting Iranian commanders in the Lebanese capital, Beirut,s early Sunday. These strikes came after several days of attacks that have reportedly left nearly 400 people dead.

At the same time, Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.

The growing tensions between the countries and the risk of further attacks on energy infrastructure continue to raise concerns about global oil supplies and the stability of international energy markets.