US FEARS IRANIAN ATTACK ON COMPANIES' GULF OIL FACILITIES

The United States fears that a possible Israeli attack on Iranian oil infrastructure will provoke an attack by Tehran on American companies' oil fields in the Persian Gulf. This was reported by the Financial Times newspaper, referring to Jonathan Panikoff, an employee of the Atlantic Council (recognized as an undesirable organization in the Russian Federation), a former senior intelligence officer.

He said: "US officials are likely concerned that Israel's decision to target [Iranian] oil fields could lead Iran to retaliate against the oil fields of US companies and their allies in the Persian Gulf."

Such an attack could also lead to a surge in gasoline prices ahead of next month's U.S. presidential election, he said.

On the evening of October 1, the IRGC launched a massive strike against Israel with ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Tehran claimed that 90 percent of the missiles successfully hit their intended targets. Israel claims that Iran launched about 180 missiles, most of which were intercepted. The Israeli General Staff vowed to retaliate, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned in Hebrew that attacks on Israel would become even more widespread.