Iran defends Yemeni rebel attack on Saudi Arabia's oil sites

Iran says this month's missile-and-drone attack by Yemen's rebels on major Saudi oil sites was an act of "legitimate defense" by the Iran-allied Houthis. The September 14 assault on Aramco oil facilities was claimed by the Houthis, though the Kingdom says it was "unquestionably sponsored by Iran." 

Iran denies being responsible and has warned any retaliatory attack targeting it will result in an "all-out war."  Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Monday called Saudi accusations "baseless," adding that Iran supports the Houthis though "spiritual and political" means.

Saudi Arabia has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015.

READ| US: Zarif can visit sick colleague after Iran frees American

Iran-backed Hezbollah on Saudi Arabia

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had warned Saudi Arabia against wagering a war against Iran, saying that the Kingdom would be 'destroyed.'

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim group called Saudi Arabia to stop its bloody war in Yemen or else face more attacks on its soil. He said that Saudi Arabia should think well, as a "war with Iran will mean their destruction." He demanded UAE and Saudi Arabia to not incite war, saying that their 'It will destroy you. Your houses are made of glass.'

"Continuing the war against Yemen with no solution is pointless. You are starting to pay the price," Nasrallah said. "One strike knocked out half the oil production, and another strike, you can imagine what it will do," he said, suggesting the Aramco attack.

READ| Donald Trump says nukes in "tippy-top shape," amid Iran-US tensions

Saudi Arabia on Iran

Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia in an interview said that "only a fool would attack" major Saudi oil sites, further urged "strong and firm action to deter Iran."

During the UN General Assembly, Saudi Arabia had urged the world to apply maximum pressure on Iran, and to remove any financial assistance extended to the country. Meanwhile, Iran retaliated saying that such a policy will not work and would kill any chance of peaceful negotiation. The escalating tensions in the Gulf regions between the allies of Iran and Saudi Arabia became a crucial matter of discussions at the global summit. While addressing at the UNGA, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Ibrahim al-Assaf pointed fingers at Iran for the missile attack on Saudi's oil infrastructure on September 14. The attack was responsible to put a hold on over 5% of oil production in the world.

READ| Saudi Crown Prince says 'Jamal Khashoggi was murdered under my watch'

“We have known that regime for 40 years. It is good at nothing but masterminding explosions, destruction and assassinations, not only in our region but also throughout the world,” al-Assaf said. “Utmost pressure with every tool available should be applied to end the terrorist and aggressive conduct of the Iranian regime”. He also said that stopping any kind of financial help to Iran would be the befitting way to deal with the situation. 

 (With AP inputs)