Trump’s Complaint About Israeli Strike on Gas Field Exposes Divergent Strategies

New York Times
by David E. Sanger
March 19, 2026
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3 min read

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Trump and Netanyahu dispute whether U.S. was informed beforehand of Israeli strike on Iranian gas field affecting energy markets.

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President Trump said he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he disapproved of an Israeli strike on a gas field, but Israeli officials contradicted him by saying the United States was informed of the operation beforehand. The divergence between the two accounts highlights a disconnect in the Israeli-American relationship over military strategy in the Middle East. The attack rattled energy markets, underscoring the economic stakes involved in regional military decisions. Trump's public criticism suggests he is concerned about the broader implications of Israeli military actions on global energy prices and regional stability. The competing narratives raise questions about the level of coordination between Washington and Jerusalem on sensitive military operations.

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