At a press conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Colonel Turki bin Saleh al-Malki displayed pieces of what he claimed to be weapons debris from the attack on the Abqaiq and Khurais oild processing facilities on Saturday.
Al-Maliki said that 25 drones and missiles were used in the attack on Aramco’s oil facilities on Saturday, stating that the attack was launched from the north and was “unquestionably sponsored by Iran". He added that they were working to find the exact launch point, which has yet to be confirmed as originating from Iran.
Yemen lies to the south of the targeted oil facilities, while Iraq and Iran lie to the north.
Al-Maliki said that an analysis of the components suggests that they “point to Iran” and that “the attack could not have originated from Yemen” as it was not within the range of capability of the Houthi rebels.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday to be present at the event, which Saudi Arabia had said would present “strong evidence” of Iran’s role in the attack. Speaking there, he said that the attack put the “global energy supply” at risk, calling it an act of war.
While the Houthi rebels, currently fighting a war against a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, claimed the attack, the US has highlighted the role of Iran in the attack, with US President Donald Trump ordering heightened sanctions on Iran on Wednesday.
In addition, on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia joined the international maritime mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf.
Kuwait has put its armed forces on alert on Saturday after a drone was spotted flying over the nation’s capital. Unverified reports on Wednesday stated that the country’s armed forces would be placed on the highest alert from Thursday.
Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson enagged in discussions on Wednesday, seeking a “diplomatic response” to Iran, with Johnson saying that Iran must not be allowed to gain nuclear weapons.
Trump has blamed Iran for the attack shortly after it took place, though he backtracked on his statement at a press conference in the White House on Wednesday, when a reporter asked him to clarify what he meant. Trump responded, “I said we think we know who it was, but I didn't say anybody but ... Certainly it would look to most like it was Iran but I did not say it the way you said it.”
