'WTF?' Trump's Pentagon furious as ally blindsides it with major war escalation

Pentagon war planners were blindsided by the scope of Israeli strikes on Iran, sparking the first significant rift between the U.S. and Israeli militaries since the conflict began eight days ago.

According to Axios, the Israeli Defense Forces destroyed an estimated 30 fuel depots during the offensive Saturday — far more extensive than what U.S. military officials expected when Israel provided advance notice of the strikes.

A senior U.S. official bluntly stated, "We don't think it was a good idea." An Israeli official characterized the American reaction as: "WTF?"

Pentagon strategists are concerned that destroying infrastructure serving ordinary Iranians could backfire strategically, potentially unifying Iranian society behind the regime while simultaneously driving global oil prices higher — a political liability Trump desperately wants to avoid.

"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," a Trump adviser told Axios.

The scale of the destruction has alarmed even Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a consistent war supporter. Graham posted on X: "Please be cautious about what targets you select. Our goal is to liberate the Iranian people in a fashion that does not cripple their chance to start a new and better life when this regime collapses. The oil economy of Iran will be essential to that endeavor."

The disagreement between the allies is expected to be addressed at senior political levels as both nations confront the unintended consequences of the escalating air campaign.