Saudi Oil attacks: UK, France, and Germany hold Iran responsible

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have jointly issued a statement on Tuesday where they have blamed Iran for the attacks on Saudi oil facilities. “It is clear to us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other plausible explanation. We support ongoing investigations to establish further details,” read the statement. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denied the claims and said, “If Iran were behind this attack, nothing would have been left of this refinery.” 

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The commitment to the nuclear deal

Even after a firm statement regarding the attacks on Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities, all the three countries reaffirmed their support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. “We recall our continued commitment to the JCPoA, agreed with Iran on July 14th, 2015 and unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council,” the joint statement read. But the countries urged Iran to reverse its decision to reduce compliance with the deal and asked Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the framework of the deal.

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The need for a long-term framework for the nuclear programme

“We reiterate our conviction that the time has come for Iran to accept negotiation on a long-term framework for its nuclear programme as well as on issues related to regional security, including its missiles programme and other means of delivery,” said the three countries emphasizing on the urgency of action. France, Germany, and the UK said that the Saudi oil attacks were a concern for all countries and it highlights the necessity of de-escalation in the region through sustained diplomatic efforts and engagement with all parties.

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'De-escalation', the primary objective

Earlier, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had asserted that Iran was behind the Saudi oil attacks. Johnson said that the UK would make an attempt to 'de-escalate the rising tensions' in the middle-east with the help of allies. The British Prime Minister will also meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian had also declared that his country's main objective at the UNGA was to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran.

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(With inputs from AP)