Iran denies involvement in Saudi attacks
Iranian analysts believe the United States and Iran are not headed toward conflict after the attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.
Iran's media and government officials believe a military conflict is not imminent between the United States and Iran after drone attacks directed at Saudi Arabian oil facilities caused widespread damage and a disruption in world oil output.
Yemen's Houthi rebels took credit for the attack on the Abqaiq oil-processing facility in the Khurais oilfield. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, backed by the United States, have sided against the Houthis in Yemen’s civil war, which began in 2015. US officials claim the Houthis are supported by Iran — a claim Iranian officials publicly deny even as they continue to voice support for the group.
US President Donald Trump tweeted Sept. 16 that “we know the culprit” behind the attack on the oil facilities, adding that the United States is “locked and loaded.” Trump said the United States was awaiting “verification” from Saudi Arabia. Perhaps in an effort to calm oil markets, Trump followed up with another tweet Sept. 16 that the United States is an exporter of oil and “we don’t need Middle Eastern oil,” nevertheless adding that the United States “will help our allies.”
Iran has denied involvement in the attack on the oil facilities. Abbas Mousavi, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said, “[For] five years [now] Yemen has been in a bloody war, and the Saudi coalition, with support from Western countries, has committed widespread crimes against the people of Yemen.” Mousavi added, “It’s natural that the people of Yemen and its military would show a reaction.”
