Reports from March 9, 2026, show that the White House sent an informal and blunt “WTF” message to Israeli officials after recent airstrikes on Iranian fuel depots.
This marks the first major disagreement between the Trump administration and Israel during the current conflict, called Operation Epic Fury.White House
Why the Tension?
Targeting Infrastructure: The U.S. and Israel have been coordinating strikes on Iranian military sites. However, Israel’s decision to attack 30 oil facilities on March 7 and 8 went far beyond U.S. expectations.
Economic Impact: The White House fears that burning fuel depots will shake global markets. Crude oil prices have already surged past $100 per barrel, raising concerns about rising gas prices in the U.S.
Strategic Blowback: U.S. officials are worried that targeting infrastructure used by everyday Iranian citizens could backfire, strengthening support for the regime instead of weakening it.White House
The Situation Right Now
The White House has not publicly addressed the “WTF” report, but internal sources say President Trump is unhappy with the strikes. An advisor mentioned, “He wants to save the oil. He doesn’t want to burn it.” Meanwhile, Iran has warned it might retaliate by targeting regional energy infrastructure, potentially driving oil prices up to $200 per barrel.White House
The Strike Details
Scale of the Attack: On Saturday, March 7, Israel hit 30 fuel storage depots across Iran. While they informed the U.S. beforehand, American officials were reportedly blindsided by the attack’s scale and intensity.White House
Visual Impact: The strikes created dramatic scenes in Tehran. Residents reported “black rain,” which was oily residue falling from the sky, and dense toxic smoke made the air unbreathable.
Targeting Logic: The IDF argues these depots supply fuel to the Iranian military. However, the U.S. believes these facilities mainly serve ordinary citizens, and attacking them could inadvertently unite the Iranian public behind the regime.
The White House’s Frustration
The “WTF” response, first reported by Axios, arises from several strategic concerns:
Economic Blowback: Brent crude oil has surged past $100 per barrel, reaching nearly $119 at one point today. The Trump administration is reportedly furious that images of burning oil are unsettling global markets, risking a significant rise in gas prices for American voters.
The “Save the Oil” Policy: A Trump advisor said, “The President doesn’t like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn’t want to burn it.” This suggests the U.S. prefers taking control of resources rather than destroying them.
Diplomatic Disruption: The strikes took place just as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were managing regional fallout. Their scheduled trip to Israel was abruptly canceled after the strikes.
Strait of Hormuz: Effectively Closed
The world’s most crucial oil passage is currently in a state of de facto closure.
Traffic Drop: Ship-tracking data shows a 70% drop in vessel movement. While the waterway is technically open, insurance companies have pulled coverage for ships entering the area, making it too risky for most commercial operators.
The “China Exception”: In a strategic move, the IRGC has claimed that the Strait is closed only to the U.S., Israel, and their Western allies. Some vessels have successfully navigated through by broadcasting signals like “CHINA OWNER” or “Muslim-owned/Turkish-operated” to avoid being targeted.
Naval Alerts: The U.S. Maritime Administration has warned all commercial vessels to avoid the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman due to significant military activity.
Financial Impact: Oil and Markets
Price Surge: Brent crude has soared to $114–$118 per barrel. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters has threatened that if infrastructure strikes continue, they will target regional energy sites, potentially driving oil to $200 per barrel.
Global Markets: Stock markets in Asia and Europe are experiencing massive sell-offs. Japan’s Nikkei index dropped by 5-7% this morning as worries about a prolonged energy shortage grow.
U.S. Supplemental Budget: The War Bill
The financial cost of Operation Epic Fury is rising more quickly than many expected:
The Tab So Far: Current estimates suggest the war has already cost the U.S. over $5 billion.
Emergency Request: The Pentagon is reportedly preparing an emergency funding request for upwards of $50 billion to replace expensive munitions, like $4 million Patriot missiles, and cover the high operational costs of maintaining two aircraft carrier groups in the region.
Domestic Pushback: The “WTF” message from the White House was not just about strategy; it was also about the budget. One advisor mentioned that President Trump is concerned these costs could compete with domestic programs like Medicaid, potentially hurting his support at home.
New Leadership in Iran
Amid this chaos, Iran has officially named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader. He has already indicated a hardline stance and has overseen the first missile launches toward Israel since his appointment.
