A source close to the Saudi government warns that a coordinated Iranian attack on oil facilities could trigger a military response, following a drone strike on a major refinery.
RIYADH: A concerted Iranian attack on Saudi oil facilities could trigger a military response from the kingdom, a source close to the Saudi government said on Monday following a drone strike on a major refinery.
The warning came after two drones hit the massive Ras Tanura refinery on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast, forcing it into a partial shutdown three days into the Middle East war.
“It depends if this is seen as a direct attack on Aramco by the Iranian leadership or a rogue drone that just came close,” the source told AFP, referring to the giant state oil company.
The source indicated that Saudi Arabia would initially adopt a cautious approach, stating “at this stage I think Saudi will watch and wait.”
Military retaliation would be a possible option if Iran were seen as launching a targeted campaign against the kingdom’s oil installations, with the source specifying that Saudi Arabia would target “Iranian oil facilities if Iran mounts a concerted attack on Aramco.”
Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest oil exporter, making its energy infrastructure a critical national security priority.
