City
Epaper

Pompeo, MBS condemn 'unprecedented' Saudi oil refinery attacks

By IANS | Updated: September 19, 2019 10:35 IST

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman met here to coordinate a response to the "unprecedented" attack on the Kingdoms oil refineries for which they blame Iran.

Open in App

Pompeo and bin Salman "agreed that this was an unacceptable and unprecedented attack that not only threatened Saudi Arabian national security, but... the world's energy supply in general", Efe news quoted State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus as saying in a statement on Wednesday.

They also agreed on "the need for the international community to come together to counter the continued threat of the Iranian regime and agreed that the Iranian regime must be held accountable for its continued aggressive, reckless, and threatening behaviour", the statement said.

The attacks on September 14 was carried out by 10 unmanned aircraft. It hit the Hijra Khurais - one of Saudi Arabia's largest oil fields, producing about 1.5 million barrels a day - and Abqaiq, the world's biggest crude stabilization facility, which processes seven million barrels of Saudi oil a day, or about 8 per cent of the world's total output.

Although the Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack, Pompeo hortly after the attacks had denied it, saying: "There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen", while blaming Iran instead.

Tehran has denied responsibility.

Parallel to Pompeo's visit, Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) partners Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the US held meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington.

In a joint statement, MESA partners reported that during the meetings they addressed the attack against Saudi refineries "sought to disrupt oil markets and regional stability".

"The attack underscores the continuing importance of cooperation between the MESA partners to strengthen regional security, peace, and stability, promote and expand economic opportunities, and strengthen and secure critical energy sectors," they added.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Saudi ArabiairanMesapompeoYemen
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai Businessman Gets Death Threats From Chhota Shakeel Gang Over Iran Trade Dispute

International68 African Migrants Dead, Dozens Missing in Shipwreck Off Yemen: UN

InternationalIran Terrorist Attack Video: At Least 8 Killed, 13 Injured in Zahedan Firing; Pakistani Group Claims Responsibility

MumbaiFake Umrah Visas Exposed: 22 Travelers Deceived by Mumbai-Based Agency; Agent Arrested

PunePune: Poster of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Seen in Loni Station Area (Watch Video)

International Realted Stories

InternationalPM Modi congratulates Guyana President Irfaan Ali on election victory, says looking forward to boost bilateral ties

InternationalPeter Navarro cries foul after being fact-checked over India's Russian oil purchases

InternationalAt least one killed in blast during cricket match in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says police

InternationalMoS Kirti Vardhan Singh interacts with Indian community in Iceland

InternationalUAE President directs continued aid airlift to Afghanistan