Even as the responsibility for an attack on one of the largest oil processing units of the world in Saudi Arabia was claimed by Iran-backed Yemeni rebels, Tehran was directly blamed for the attack by the United States’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
"Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply," he said on Twitter. "There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen."
The allegations have however been denied by Iran.
"Such accusations as well as blind and futile comments are pointless," said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.
Pompeo was also attacked back on twitter by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “US & its clients are stuck in Yemen because of illusion that weapon superiority will lead to military victory. Blaming Iran won't end disaster. Accepting our April '15 proposal to end war & begin talks may. Drones claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck the oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and a major oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco early Saturday, sparking a huge fire at a processor crucial to global energy supplies,” he said on twitter
No workers were injured in the attack, said the Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom's official news outlet. The output would get reduced by 50 per cent because of the attack at the Khurais and Abqaiq facilities which would be cushioned by using reserves, said the news agency. The agency also said that attack at the facility has resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in the production of liquified natural gas and ethane in Saudi Arabia.
Even as there is palpable tensions between the US and Iran over the sanctions by Washington on Tehran over the nuclear deal, this incident is likely to increase tensions between parties further in the entire Persian Gulf region. Iran backs the Houthis in a Saudi-led war in Yemen that has been going on for years.
"We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran's attacks," Pompeo said on Twitter Saturday. "The United States will work with our partners and allies to ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and Iran is held accountable for its aggression."
The attack on the oil facilities, that are also crucially responsible for supply of oil for the world economy "is one of the most provocative in a 40-year pattern of escalatory violence" from Tehran, said reports quoting senior Trump administration officials. According to the reports, the officials said that it "completely contradicts the regime's hypocritical calls for diplomacy."
The attack on the oil facility was also condemned by the US envoy to Saudi Arabia. "These attacks against critical infrastructure endanger civilians, are unacceptable, and sooner or later will result in innocent lives being lost," the U.S. mission quoted Ambassador John Abizaid as saying.
The United N was "extremely concerned" about the attacks, said the office of the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen in a statement. "The Special Envoy urges all parties to prevent such further incidents, which pose a serious threat to regional security, complicate the already fragile situation and jeopardize UN-led political process,” it said.
(Source:www.nbc.com)
"Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply," he said on Twitter. "There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen."
The allegations have however been denied by Iran.
"Such accusations as well as blind and futile comments are pointless," said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.
Pompeo was also attacked back on twitter by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “US & its clients are stuck in Yemen because of illusion that weapon superiority will lead to military victory. Blaming Iran won't end disaster. Accepting our April '15 proposal to end war & begin talks may. Drones claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck the oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and a major oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco early Saturday, sparking a huge fire at a processor crucial to global energy supplies,” he said on twitter
No workers were injured in the attack, said the Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom's official news outlet. The output would get reduced by 50 per cent because of the attack at the Khurais and Abqaiq facilities which would be cushioned by using reserves, said the news agency. The agency also said that attack at the facility has resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in the production of liquified natural gas and ethane in Saudi Arabia.
Even as there is palpable tensions between the US and Iran over the sanctions by Washington on Tehran over the nuclear deal, this incident is likely to increase tensions between parties further in the entire Persian Gulf region. Iran backs the Houthis in a Saudi-led war in Yemen that has been going on for years.
"We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran's attacks," Pompeo said on Twitter Saturday. "The United States will work with our partners and allies to ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and Iran is held accountable for its aggression."
The attack on the oil facilities, that are also crucially responsible for supply of oil for the world economy "is one of the most provocative in a 40-year pattern of escalatory violence" from Tehran, said reports quoting senior Trump administration officials. According to the reports, the officials said that it "completely contradicts the regime's hypocritical calls for diplomacy."
The attack on the oil facility was also condemned by the US envoy to Saudi Arabia. "These attacks against critical infrastructure endanger civilians, are unacceptable, and sooner or later will result in innocent lives being lost," the U.S. mission quoted Ambassador John Abizaid as saying.
The United N was "extremely concerned" about the attacks, said the office of the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen in a statement. "The Special Envoy urges all parties to prevent such further incidents, which pose a serious threat to regional security, complicate the already fragile situation and jeopardize UN-led political process,” it said.
(Source:www.nbc.com)
