Attack on Aramco halves oil output, US 'ready to respond'

(Patria) – US President Donald Trump said the US is ready to respond to attacks that damaged oil processing facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Although the Houthi rebel forces, with whom Saudi Arabia is indirectly at war in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the attacks, the US president insinuated that he suspects Iranian involvement in a series of attacks that significantly damaged the facilities in Abqaiq, the world's largest oil processing plant.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of 'unprecedented attacks on the world's energy supplies'.

The attacks halved standard oil output, significantly damaging both Saudi Arabia and its customers, as well as global oil flows.

Trump said via Twitter that the US 'is ready to await confirmation from Saudi Arabia regarding the perpetrators of the attacks and under what conditions the US will act', signaling the possibility of a military response.

The US government released satellite photos it claims show at least 19 points hit by drones, and estimates that the attacks came from Iran or Iraq, not Yemen.

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom is ready to respond to 'terrorist aggression'.

Official Iraq and Iran denied any involvement in the attacks.

As a result of the attacks, oil prices rose by 20%, reaching $71.95 per barrel, before falling to $68 per barrel.

Saudi Arabia's oil fields and infrastructure have been targeted by rebels over the past year as well, but never at this level and with such dramatic consequences that will be felt worldwide.