Iran’s involvement in the recent Saudi attack has flared up tensions with USA
The tensions between the United States (U.S.) and the Islamic Republic of Iran refuse to deescalate after U.S. issued satellite images and cited intelligence report to support its claim of Iran’s involvement in the recent drone attack at State-owned Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
The images provided by the U.S. Government allegedly show that attacks had come from the West and North-West and not Yemen, which lies to the South of Saudi Arabia. U.S. also said that additional devices that did not reach their targets have been recovered and are being analysed by Saudi and U.S. intelligence.
On Sunday night, i.e., September 15, 2019, the President of U.S. – Donald Trump tweeted, “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!”
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
Trump’s tweet came after he held a National Security Council Meeting at the White House with Vice President of U.S. – Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of State – Mike Pompeo and U.S. Secretary of Defence – Mark Esper.
He also said that he is waiting to hear from Saudi Arabia as to whom they believe is responsible for the attacks. Prior to this, Trump spoke to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia – Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, on Saturday, September 14, 2019, where that Crown prince said that Saudi Arabia is willing and able to respond the recent drone attacks on its oil facilities.
The facilities targeted were based at Abqaiq and Khurais. The attacks disrupted the Saudi Arabia’s crude oil supply by 5.7 million barrels per day, which is 50% of its output. Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has claimed the responsibility of the attack. The Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-UAE-led coalition in an ongoing civil war in Yemen since 2015. But U.S. believes it is Iran who carried out the attacks.
The development has also affected the global oil market. It pushed the price of U.S. crude oil up U.S. $ 5.61 per barrel, or 10.2% to U.S. $ 60.46 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, surged U.S. $ 7.84 per barrel, or 13% to U.S. $ 68.06 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate rose 8.9% to U.S. $ 59.75 in Asian trading.
However, the prices were slightly eased when Trump authorised the release of US reserves.
“Based on the attack on Saudi Arabia, which may have an impact on oil prices, I have authorized the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, if needed, in a to-be-determined amount sufficient to keep the markets well-supplied. I have also informed all appropriate agencies to expedite approvals of the oil pipelines currently in the permitting process in Texas and various other States,” Trump tweeted.
However, the President of Iran – Hassan Rouhani said on Iran’s Press TV that U.S. is running a war operation by supporting the UAE and Saudi Arabia through transfer of weapons and by providing intelligence. “What is happening in this region today has created concern among majority of world countries,” said Rouhani
Besides, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the armed forces of Iran, have said that they are prepared for a full-scale war with U.S. It said that it’s missiles can hit U.S. bases and ships within a range of 2,000 kms. (1,240 miles).
Brigadier-General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said, “Because of the tension and sensitive situation, our region is like a powder keg. Neither us nor the Americans want a war. When these contacts come too close, when forces come into contact with one another, it is possible a conflict happens because of a misunderstanding.”
He also said, “Of course some forces facing each other in the field could do something by which a war could start. We have always prepared ourselves for a full-fledged war.”
Hajizadeh has also warned that in case the U.S attacks Iran, it is ready for a counterattack.
