U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran was “probably” behind the attack that caused the closure of a vital oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia.
The East-West Pipeline was attacked Thursday by several drones originating from Iraq, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday. The incident caused injuries and some damage. The Ministry of Energy added that the pipeline had been shut down as a precautionary measure.
The news comes at a time of turmoil in energy markets and significant disruptions to maritime transportation, with no indication that the conflict with Iran will end and as the Houthis—Tehran’s allies in Yemen—took control of a key island and a port in the Red Sea.
Trump identified Iran as the likely party responsible for the attack when a journalist asked him about the incident during a visit to Ireland this Saturday.
“I think they are the ones responsible; they probably are,” Trump told reporters in Dublin.
For the time being, it is unclear who was behind the attacks. A major group bringing together Iran-backed Iraqi militias, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has denied responsibility.
The attack represents another headache for Saudi Arabia, which has been supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government in its fight against the Houthis.
Trump said he had held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a “good friend.”
A source told CNN that the Saudi crown prince had spoken with Trump twice on Thursday and urged him to attack the Houthis amid the advance of the Iran-backed group toward the Red Sea, but Trump refused.
In response to a question about the new concerns in Saudi Arabia following the pipeline’s closure, and whether he could help facilitate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in light of the developments, Trump said that everything “will be fine.”
The White House, responding to CNN’s questions about the calls, said that the United States was in contact with Saudi authorities and “focused on protecting our fundamental national security interests—as well as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea—while empowering our regional partners to lead the management and resolution of security challenges in the region.”
Iraq Closes Its Borders
A statement from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy indicated that the pipeline “was subjected to multiple attacks” on Thursday, which “caused several injuries.” The statement added that teams were “taking the necessary measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety.”
The Iraqi government condemned the attacks and said it had ordered an urgent investigation to identify those responsible and that it would not allow its territory or airspace to be used for such purposes.
On Saturday, Iraqi authorities reported that the country had closed several of its borders as a precautionary measure.
The attack and the Houthis’ recent advances along the Red Sea indicate that Saudi Arabia’s oil resources—and its ability to export them—are facing growing threats as the war with Iran continues.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline has become vital for the country to maintain oil exports since the outbreak of the conflict between the United States and Iran.
The kingdom has diverted approximately 5 million barrels of oil per day that would have been destined for tankers waiting in the Persian Gulf, given that Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, that oil has been transported through the pipeline to the Saudi port of Yanbu on the Red Sea.
Source: es-us.vida-estilo.yahoo
