Saudi crude oil stations attacked by drones

16 May 2019

Saudi crude oil stations attacked by drones

On Tuesday, 14th May 2019, two crude oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia were attacked by drones (a flying object without a pilot that is controlled by an operator on the ground).

Earlier, on 13th May 2019, two Saudi oil tankers were attacked in the Persian Gulf (along with a Norwegian ship).

Both attacks are being suspected to be a result of rising tensions between U.S and Iran and also of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The U.S had imposed sanctions (reducing or even cutting off all trade) on Iran in November 2018.
 	After a 6 month period ending 30th April 2019, the U.S also asked other countries, including India (read more), to ban the trading of crude oil with Iran.
 	This has caused huge financial losses to Iran.
 	U.S and Saudi Arabia have been on friendly terms, but Iran and Saudi Arabia have not.
 	Saudi officials believe the drone attack on the 14th May was carried out by Yemen’s rebels called the Houthis. The Houthis are known to be backed by Iran.
 	Just before the attack, the Houthis announced on their television network that they intended to make many drone attacks in the region. They did not however mention the names of their targets.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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