Pompeo: Iran "Quite Possibly" Involved in the Attack on Oil Tankers
The U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Iran is “quite possibly” behind the attack on four oil tankers near Fujairah.
In a radio interview, Pompeo stated that the United States has not made "a definitive conclusion" that can be presented publicly, “but given all the regional conflicts that we have seen over the past decade and the shape of these attacks, it seems like it's quite possible that Iran was behind these.”
This is the first official statement made by American officials regarding the mysterious sabotage incidents of oil tankers near Fujairah or drone strikes on a crude pipeline in Saudi Arabia.
Pompeo continued: “Most importantly, we will continue to take acts that protect American interests and that work to deter Iran from misbehavior in the region, which has the real risk of escalating the situation such that crude oil prices rise.”
Due to President Trump’s decision to completely shut down Iran’s oil export, tensions have risen between the two country.
Secretary Pompeo also said that Iran’s goal from these activities could be to create chaos in the international oil markets.
In recent weeks, the United States has deployed an aircraft career and bombers to the Persian Gulf in response to Iran’s ballistic missile activities.
Mike Pompeo also mentioned the rocket attack in Baghdad and the attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities by Houthis of Yemen and said that Houthis are now in possession of Iranian missiles.
At the end of the interview, he emphasized: “We've made clear that we will not allow Iran to hide behind its proxy forces,” Pompeo said on the Hugh Hewitt show. "But if American interests are attacked, whether by Iran directly or through its proxy forces, we will respond in an appropriate way against Iran.”