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UPDATE 1-Saudi says it will respond appropriately if probe confirms Iran's role in attacks

Sat, 21st Sep 2019 15:18

By Stephen Kalin

RIYADH, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will wait for theresults of an investigation before responding to last weekend'sattack on its oil facilities, for which it believes Iran isresponsible, a senior official said on Saturday.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir toldreporters that the probe, which Riyadh has invited internationalinvestigators to join, would prove that the Sept. 14 strikescame from the north.

"It was done with Iranian weapons, therefore we hold Iranaccountable for this attack..." Jubeir told a news conference,declining to speculate about specific actions. "The kingdom willtake the appropriate measures based on the results of theinvestigation, to ensure its security and stability."

Riyadh has rejected a claim by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthimovement that it carried out the strikes on two oil plants thatinitially halved Saudi production, the largest-ever assault onoil facilities in the world's top oil exporter.

"We are certain that the launch did not come from Yemen, itcame from the north," Jubeir said. "The investigations willprove that."

The kingdom has already said the investigation so far showsthat Iranian weapons were used and the attack originated fromthe north, and that it was working to pinpoint the exact launchlocation.

It sees the strikes on its Khurais and Abqaiq facilities asa test of global will to preserve international order and willlikely make its case at the United Nations General Assembly inNew York next week.

Saudi Arabia is consulting with its allies to "take thenecessary steps", Jubeir said, urging the world to take a stand.

"The kingdom calls upon the international community toassume its responsibility in condemning those that stand behindthis act, and to take a firm and clear position against thisreckless behaviour that threatens the global economy," he said.

"The Iranian position is to try to divide the world and inthat it is not succeeding."

The United States this week imposed more sanctions on Iranand approved sending American troops to bolster Saudi air andmissile defences, which failed to thwart the Sept. 14 attacks.The deployment could further aggravate Iran, which has respondedto previous U.S. troop deployments this year with apprehension.

Asked about the deployment, Jubeir said: "...The challengesthat we're facing now call for enhancing security cooperationbetween the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its allies andpartners..."

(Reporting by Stephen Kalin in Riyadh; Additional reporting byMaher Chmaytelli in Dubai; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editingby Ros Russell)

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