US Warned Against Action Over Saudi Oil Attacks

EghtesadOnline: Iran has warned the United States that any action taken against it will be met with an "immediate" response, following allegations that it was behind attacks on Saudi oil installations.

News ID: ۷۴۸۴۹۲

21 September 2019

In an official note through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran on Monday, Tehran reiterated that it was not involved in the incident, IRNA reported on Wednesday.

Swiss diplomats represent US interests in Iran in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, according to Financial Tribune.

"Iran has emphasized in the letter that it will immediately respond to any action against it and the response will not be limited to the source of the threat," the report said, without elaborating.

The Sept. 14 attacks on Saudi oil plants, including the world's biggest crude processing facility, initially knocked out half of Saudi production, according to Reuters.

Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility.

The US has blamed the assault on Iran and said it stands ready to defend its interests and allies in the Middle East.

A senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, on Tuesday called for a UN Security Council response to the incident.

Russia and China have warned against jumping to conclusions over who was behind the unprecedented attacks.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Defense Minister Amir Hatami said Tehran had no involvement in the incident.

"The issue is very clear: there has been a conflict between two countries. One side of the conflict are the Yemenis who have claimed the attacks," he said, referring to the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen, IRNA reported.

The Yemenis' motive is "obvious", he said, stressing that a country that has been under attack for years is reacting to the sufferings it has endured over the past several years.

Hatami said Saudi and Israeli officials want to provoke the United States to get involved in a military conflict in this region and that is why they are leveling accusations against Iran.

However, they should be aware that the Islamic Republic will respond "decisively" to any act of aggression, he declared.