Following attacks on Saudi Aramco’s Khurais and Abqaiq plants, US President Donald Trump tweeted that the nation was “locked and loaded,” hinging upon verification of the attackers. Â
Saudi Arabia oil supply was attacked. There is reason to believe that we know the culprit, are locked and loaded depending on verification, but are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack, and under what terms we would proceed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2019
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have claimed responsibility for the attack. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that Iran was responsible for the attack, claiming that “there is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.”
Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply. There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general issued a statement condeming the attacks, but urged restraint and deescalation.
“The secretary-general calls upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, prevent any escalation amid heightened tensions and to comply at all times with International Humanitarian Law,” the statement said.
Directly following the attacks, President Trump called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a statement from the Saudi Press Agency. Trump said the US was ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia to maintain its security and stability, noting that the attacks would have an impact on the US and global economy. The crown prince said the kingdom was willing and able to deal with terrorist aggression and its consequences.
Since then, Trump authorised the release of oil from its emergency reserves to help fill a potential supply gap. This news helped cap oil price gains, which some analysts predicted could reach $100, although projections have differed.
