Trump says Iran likely responsible for attack on vital Saudi oil pipeline
By Sophie Tanno, CNN
(CNN) — US President Donald Trump said Iran was “probably” behind the attack on a vital oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia which led to its closure.
The East-West Pipeline was attacked by several drones coming from Iraq on Thursday, the Saudi foreign ministry said Friday, resulting in injuries and some damage. The energy ministry added that the pipeline had been shut down as a precautionary measure.
The news comes amid turmoil in energy markets and major disruption in shipping with no end in sight to the Iran war and as Tehran’s allies in Yemen, the Houthis, seized a key island and a port in the Red Sea.
Trump pointed the finger at Iran as most likely being behind the attack when asked about the incident by a reporter during a visit to Ireland on Saturday.
“I think they are, probably they are,” Trump told journalists in Dublin.
It remains unclear at this stage who was behind the attacks. A key umbrella group of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has denied responsibility.
The attack is another headache for Saudi Arabia, which has been backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthis.
Trump said he had held a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he referred to as a “good friend.”
A source told CNN that the Saudi Crown Prince had spoken twice with Trump on Thursday and urged him to strike the Houthis as the Iran-backed group advances towards the Red Sea, but Trump declined.
Responding to a question about the fresh concerns in Saudi Arabia following the closure of the pipeline, and whether he could help move marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in light of the developments, Trump said everything will “work out fine.”
The White House, in response to CNN’s questions about the calls, said that the US was in touch with the Saudis and “focused on protecting our core national security interests— such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea — while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges.”
Borders close in Iraq
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy statement said the pipeline “was subjected to multiple attacks” on Thursday that “resulted in a number of injuries.” The statement added that teams were “taking the necessary measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety.”
The Iraqi government condemned the attacks, saying it had ordered an urgent investigation into those responsible and that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for such purposes.
On Saturday, Iraqi authorities said the country has closed a number of its borders as a precautionary measure.
The strike and recent Houthi advances along the Red Sea signal that Saudi Arabia’s oil resources — and its ability to export those resources — are facing increasing threats as the Iran war continues.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline has become vital for the country to maintain oil exports since the outbreak of the US-Iran war.
The kingdom has rerouted about 5 million barrels of oil per day that would have been destined for awaiting oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, as Iran effectively shuttered the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, that oil has traveled through the pipeline to Saudi Arabia’s port of Yanbu on the Red Sea.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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CNN’s Kylie Atwood, Katie Bo Lillis, Thomas Bordeaux and Zachary Cohen contributed to this report.
