US data ‘shows Iran behind Saudi oil attacks’

International Desk: The United States has issued satellite images and cited intelligence to back its claim that Iran was behind attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Iran denies involvement in Saturday's air attacks, which were claimed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

But unnamed US officials speaking to US and international media say the direction and extent of the attacks cast doubt on Houthi involvement.

The incident has cut global oil supplies by 5 per cent and prices have soared.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran at the weekend, prompting Tehran to accuse the US of deceit.

Tweeting on Sunday, President Donald Trump stopped short of directly accusing Iran, but suggested possible military action once the perpetrator is known. Unnamed US officials have been speaking to the newsmen.

One official said there were 19 points of impact on the targets and the attacks had come from the west and north-west - not Yemen, which lies to the south of Saudi Arabia.

Brent crude jumped 10% to $66.28 a barrel, in what Bloomberg describes as the biggest intraday surge since 1988.

West Texas Intermediate rose 8.9% to $59.75 in Asian trading. Prices eased slightly after President Trump authorised the release of US reserves.

Iran has yet to respond to the latest US assertions. But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted on Sunday to deride Mr Pompeo, saying that "having failed at max pressure, Sec Pompeo's turning to max deceit".

Source: BBC

risingbd/Sept 16, 2019/Mukul