Saudi oil attacks came from southwest Iran, US official says, raising tensions

DUBAI - The United States believes the attacks that crippled Saudi Arabian oil facilities last weekend originated in southwestern Iran, a US official told Reuters, an assessment that further increases tension in the Middle East.

Iran denies involvement in the strikes. Iran's allies in Yemen's civil war, the Houthi movement, claimed responsibility, saying they struck the plants with drones including some powered by jet engines. Saudi Arabia sought to reassure markets after the attack on Saturday halved oil output, saying on Tuesday that full production would be restored by month's end.

US-Iran relations deteriorated after Trump quit the nuclear pact and reimposed sanctions over Tehran's nuclear and ballistic programmes, severely hurting the Iranian economy. Trump also wants Iran to stop supporting regional proxies, including Yemen's Houthis. Strains between Washington and Tehran have risen more in recent months after attacks on tankers in the Gulf that the United States blames on Tehran, and Iran's downing of a US military drone that prompted preparations for a retaliatory air strike that Trump says he called off at the last minute.

He said Saudi Arabia would keep its role as the secure supplier of global oil markets, adding that the kingdom needed to take strict measures to prevent further attacks, which exposed the vulnerability of Saudi Arabia's oil industry and the broader global economy.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

US President Donald Trump says looks like Iran was behind Saudi oil attacksWASHINGTON/DUBAI (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump on Monday (Sept 16) said it looked like Iran was behind attacks on oil plants in Saudi Arabia at the weekend that raised fears of a fresh Middle East conflict, but added that he did not want war with anyone.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

US singles out Iran, readies response to Saudi oil attacksWASHINGTON: The United States readied its response on Monday (Sep 16) to the 'unprecedented' attack on Saudi oil facilities as President Donald ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Attack on Saudi Arabia came from Iran: US officialThe United States has concluded the weekend attack on Saudi oil facilities was launched from Iranian soil and cruise missiles were involved, a US ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Pompeo heads to Saudi Arabia after US blames IranWASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to fly to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (Sep 17) to discuss possible retaliation after Washington said ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Pompeo heads to Saudi Arabia after US blames Iran for attack on oil facilitiesWASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to fly to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (Sep 17) to discuss possible retaliation after Washington said ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Saudi oil attack: Iran and US heading for showdownLONDON - Commodity markets often overreact to political developments. But the huge spike in the price of oil - the biggest single jump since some of the current oil futures markets were created more than three decades ago - is, for once, perfectly justified.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »