May 14, 2019 - Energy & Climate

Saudi Arabia claims oil pumps were attacked by drones in "act of terrorism"

Amy Harder

This image is a close-up of Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih talking. A blurred miniature Saudi Arabian flag sits in front of him. — Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih on March 18, 2019. Photo Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images

Drones attacked oil pump stations in eastern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning, in what Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih is calling "an act of terrorism," according to Gulf News.

Driving the news: "Yemen's Houthi rebels said they had attacked several targets," AFP reports.

What they're saying: "Saudi energy minister al falih says the kingdom's oil production has not been interrupted by the attack," EnergyIntel's Amena Bakr tweets.

Here's a map of the installations, via Bloomberg's Javier Blas.

Meanwhile: In response to earlier attacks on oil tankers off the coast of UAE, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia urges a "thorough investigation" to be followed by a response "short of war," Reuters reports.

What to watch: Iran is a prime suspect, but the country has denied involvement, with its foreign ministry calling it "worrisome and dreadful," per Reuters.

Go deeper: 2 Saudi oil tankers damaged in sabotage attacks near UAE

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Saudi Arabia claims oil pumps were attacked by drones in "act of terrorism"

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