Saudi Arabia's defence ministry has displayed debris from drones and cruise missiles used in weekend attacks on two oil facilities, asserting it proves Iranian involvement. The ministry said 18 drones and seven cruise missiles were fired from a direction that rules out Yemen as the source.
Defence ministry spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki told a press briefing that the evidence showed the attacks were launched from the north and were 'unquestionably sponsored by Iran'. However, he added that Saudi Arabia was still 'working to know exactly the launch point'.
Among the wreckage was a delta wing from what the ministry said was an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Col Malki stated that data recovered from the UAV's computers indicated it was Iranian. He said four cruise missiles struck the Khurais oilfield, while three fell short of the Abqaiq facility.
Col Malki described the precision of the cruise missiles as indicating 'advanced capability beyond the Iran proxy's [Houthi rebel force's] capacity'. He called the attacks 'an assault on the international community' and said those responsible should be held accountable.
Iran has denied involvement and warned it would retaliate against any attack targeting it. The US has accused Iran of being behind the attacks, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling it an 'act of war'. President Donald Trump said the US had 'many options' in response, including 'the ultimate option'.
Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, have claimed responsibility for the attacks. A Houthi spokesman dismissed the Saudi evidence as fabricated, reiterating that the group carried out the strikes.
