Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took to Twitter to respond to reports of drone attacks and a fire that broke out at Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil processing facility and oil field. The attack was carried out by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and disrupted roughly five percent of the world's oil supply.
According to Pompeo, Iran is solely to blame for this attack and other nations around the world need to condemn what took place.
Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply. There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks. The United States will work with our partners and allies to ensure that energy markets remain well supplied and Iran is held accountable for its aggression
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 14, 2019
The White House condemned the attacks and said the United States is prepared to help stabilize the world's oil market.
“Violent actions against civilian areas and infrastructure vital to the global economy only deepen conflict and mistrust. The United States Government is monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring global oil markets are stable and well supplied,” the White House said in a statement to CNBC.
Senators on both sides of the aisle weighed in on the attack.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Iran needs to be held responsible for the attacks.
Iranian supported Houthi rebels who attacked Saudi oil refineries is yet another example of how Iran is wreaking havoc in the Middle East. The Iranian regime is not interested in peace - they’re pursuing nuclear weapons and regional dominance. https://t.co/RElvTDFYb2
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 14, 2019
It is now time for the U.S. to put on the table an attack on Iranian oil refineries if they continue their provocations or increase nuclear enrichment.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 14, 2019
Iran will not stop their misbehavior until the consequences become more real, like attacking their refineries, which will break the regime’s back.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) September 14, 2019
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) disagreed with Pompeo's assessment of the situation.
This is such irresponsible simplification and it’s how we get into dumb wars of choice
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 14, 2019
The Saudis and Houthis are at war. The Saudis attack the Houthis and the Houthis attack back. Iran is backing the Houthis and has been a bad actor, but it’s just not as simple as Houthis=Iran. https://t.co/BFiO1AQe2B