Iran denies role in Saudi attacks in message to US: state media
Iran's state-run news agency is reporting that Iran sent an official warning through Swiss diplomats to the U.S. that Tehran said it had nothing to do with Saturday's attack on oil installations in Saudi Arabia. While Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have claimed the assault, the U.S. has alleged Iran was behind it.
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 01:38 | 18 September 2019
- Modified Date: 01:40 | 18 September 2019
Iran has sent the United States a diplomatic note denying any role in attacks on Saudi oil installations and warning it would respond to any action, state media said Wednesday.
The formal memo sent on Monday through the Swiss embassy, which represents US interests in Tehran, "emphasised that Iran has not played any role in this attack", the official IRNA news agency said.
It said Iran "denies and condemns claims" by US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that it was behind the attacks.
"It was also emphasised that if any actions are taken against Iran, that action will face an immediate response from Iran and its scope will not be limited to just a threat," IRNA said.
The message was delivered on Monday afternoon, it reported, after Trump said Iran was likely to have been behind the attacks on its regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia.
Saturday's attacks on Saudi energy giant Aramco's Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oil field halved the kingdom's oil output.
US interests in Iran are represented by the Swiss embassy as the two countries have not had diplomatic relations since 1980.
- UN sends experts to Saudi to probe oil attacks: diplomats
- Pakistan refuses permission for India's Modi to fly across its airspace
- Pakistan: No talks with India until Kashmir status restored
- Turkey supports UN-backed political process in Libya
- Saudi Arabia says Iranian missiles, drone hit oil facilities