US-Israel Strike on Iran Raises Middle East Tensions

A recent report by news outlet Axios claims that the strikes on Iran's South Pars Gas Field were sanctioned by US President Donald Trump. The report cites Israeli officials, stating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump coordinated the attack to dissuade Iran from interfering with oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Axios, the Israeli Air Force's assault on the natural gas processing facility in southern Iran on Wednesday night had both coordination and approval from the White House. Following an initial Iranian missile strike, Qatari officials urgently contacted White House envoy Steve Witkoff and top CENTCOM commanders, seeking clarity on Washington's awareness of the Israeli move.

Axios further reports that Witkoff engaged in several discussions with Qatari authorities to facilitate a critical communication line between Trump and the emir of Qatar. President Trump, however, publicly denied any prior knowledge of the attack, suggesting that Israel acted independently and 'out of anger' against Iran's South Pars Gas Field, provoking Tehran's retaliatory measures.