RIYADH – Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following drone attackslinkontwo major oil facilities in Saudi Arabialink.
The pre-dawn strikes on Saturday knocked out more than half of crude outputfrom the world’s top exporter – five percent of the global oil supply – andcut output by 5.7 million barrels per day, Al Jazeera has reported.
Yemen’s Houthi link rebels,who have been locked in a war with a Saudi-UAE-led coalition since 2015,claimed responsibility for the attacks, warning Saudi Arabia that theirtargets “will keep expanding”.
But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo swiftly accused Iranlink of being behind theassault, without providing any evidence. The claim was rejectedlinkTehran which said the allegations were meant to justify actions against it.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has promised to “confront and deal with thisterrorist aggression”, while US President Donald Trumplink hinted atpossible military action after Riyadh concluded its investigation into theattacks.Trump says ‘looks like’ Iran responsible for Saudi attacks
Trump said it’s “looking like” Iran was responsible for the attacks on keyoil installations in Saudi Arabia, but he said he doesn’t want war.
Trump said at the White House that the US is not looking at retaliatoryoptions until he has “definitive proof” that Iran was responsible.
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Still, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the US “is prepared” ifthe attacks warrant a response.Putin proposes Russian missile defence for Saudi Arabia
Russia is ready to help Saudi Arabia following attacks on the Saudi oilindustry if needed, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks withleaders of Turkey and Iran in Ankara, and proposed Russian weapons forpurchase.
“We are ready to provide respective assistance to Saudi Arabia, and itwould be enough for the political leadership of Saudi Arabia to make a wisegovernment decision – as the leaders of Iran did in their time bypurchasing S-300 and as (Turkish) President (Tayyip) Erdogan did bypurchasing the latest S-400 ‘Triumph’ air defence systems from Russia,”Putin said.
These Russian weapons would protect any infrastructure facilities of SaudiArabia, he added.
