Published 14:52 IST, September 15th 2019
US State Secretary Pompeo blames Iran for attacks on Aramco refineries
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo has blamed Iran for drone attacks carried out by Houthi rebels, on Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil refineries that took place on Sat
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed Iran for drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil refineries that took place on Saturday. The attacks, attributed to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, sparked huge fires at a vulnerable chokepoint for global energy supplies. The attack resulted in a massive fire which was later extinguished by the Saudi authorities. Aramco oil refineries are the world's largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia. Also, Saudi Arabia temporarily halted production at two oil facilities that were attacked by Yemeni rebels.
Pompeo’s reaction to the attacks on Aramco refineries
Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply. There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
Pompeo calls upon all the allies to condemn Iran for the attacks
We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks. 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
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
The attacks on Aramco refineries
At least 10 drones were deployed at the oil sites in Abqaiq and Khurais. The attacks took place early on Saturday and resulted in a massive fire which was later extinguished by the Saudi authorities. Later, the Houthis claimed the responsibility of the attacks and promised to widen them. Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition battling the Houthis in the neighbouring nation Yemen. The attacks come as Trump has held the door open for nuclear talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Iran restarted some uranium enrichment in violation of the 2015 nuclear accord.
Production halted in Aramco oil refineries
Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted production at two Aramco oil facilities that were attacked by Yemeni rebels. These attacks interrupted about half of the company's total output, the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said, on Saturday, September 14. He also said that the attacks "resulted in a temporary suspension of production at Abqaiq and Khurais plants." It led to the interruption of about 50% of total production, he added. Also, the state-owned Aramco refineries said, "These attacks resulted in production suspension of 5.7 million barrels of crude oil per day."
(With Agency Inputs)
13:41 IST, September 15th 2019