Donald Trump attributes Saudi pipeline attack to Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Iran is likely responsible for an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia that forced the temporary shutdown of the kingdom’s East-West pipeline. The pipeline serves as a critical infrastructure route, allowing Saudi Arabia to export crude oil while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks were made while the president was in Dublin. When asked by reporters if Iran was behind the strike on the oil conduit, Trump responded that he believed they were likely responsible. He also confirmed that he had held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he characterized as a good friend.

The attack, which Saudi authorities reported on Friday, involved drones launched from Iraq that targeted the pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The Saudi Foreign Ministry has issued a formal condemnation of the targeting of the infrastructure, which connects Abqaiq near the Gulf coast to Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Regarding the regional conflict, Trump noted that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels had reached out to his administration. According to the president, the group indicated a preference for the United States to avoid direct involvement in the ongoing hostilities.

Trump stated that the Houthis have been allowing most maritime traffic to pass through the region. He added that while the group expressed dissatisfaction with one specific country, he intended to resolve the situation.