Washington (TDI): The United States and Israel are planning a bombing campaign targeting energy infrastructure in Iran, with strikes potentially taking place over the weekend, CBS News reported, citing US and Israeli sources.
According to the report, US President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval for the proposed strikes. CBS described the potential campaign as one of the harshest attacks yet on Iran’s energy infrastructure since the US-Israeli war against Tehran began. Officials have reportedly discussed completing the strikes before financial markets open on Monday.
The reported plans come as Washington and Tehran continue to vie for control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
Separately, a tanker was struck by an “unknown projectile” off the coast of Oman on Saturday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.
The vessel reported damage to its engine room after the incident, which occurred around 12.5 miles off Oman’s coast. No injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised US Vice President JD Vance’s recent criticism of Israel during a private meeting in Washington earlier this week, according to Axios.
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Netanyahu and Vance met at Blair House on Tuesday during the Israeli premier’s visit to Washington, where Netanyahu also held talks with Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior US officials.
Axios, citing Israeli and US officials, reported that Netanyahu addressed Vance’s public comments during what an Israeli official described as a “frank and candid conversation”.
A US official characterized the discussion as direct but rejected suggestions that it had been confrontational. The two sides nevertheless agreed to continue cooperation on areas of mutual interest and shared objectives, according to a US official quoted by Axios.
Vance has emerged as one of the Trump administration’s more prominent voices calling for restraint in the Middle East. In June, he criticized Israeli officials who opposed Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Iran, saying that if he were part of the Israeli government, he would avoid attacking “the only powerful ally” Israel had.
Earlier this month, Vance also suggested that some Israeli leaders had pushed Washington away from diplomacy and toward a more confrontational approach to Tehran.
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Despite reported differences over strategy, Vance has repeatedly stressed the strength of the US-Israel relationship. Last month, he told CBS that Netanyahu had “certainly got some things wrong” but remained “a good partner”, adding that Washington would continue working with Israel while pursuing US national interests where the two countries’ interests diverged.
The White House and the Israeli government have not publicly commented on the substance of Netanyahu and Vance’s private meeting.
