Trump Cites Iran as Probable Cause for Saudi Pipeline Attack

Why it matters locally: Disruptions to global oil supplies, such as those caused by attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure, can lead to increased gasoline prices in California, potentially impacting consumers and industries reliant on fuel. The state's significant import of crude oil could also be affected by any sustained instability in the Middle East.

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran was likely responsible for drone attacks that damaged Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure. The attacks targeted pumping stations on the kingdom's East-West crude oil pipeline. Saudi Arabia responded by temporarily shutting down the pipeline, a critical artery for oil transport. The decision followed multiple drone strikes on Tuesday morning. Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating they deployed seven drones against Saudi facilities. Reports from sources including the BBC indicated that the drones launched from Iraq. U.S. officials and analysts have linked these types of operations to Iran-backed militias based in Iraq. In addition to the pipeline incidents, a separate incident involved two Saudi oil tankers among four vessels targeted by what Saudi Arabia described as "sabotage attacks" off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. The details of these attacks remain under investigation.