US President Trump announces new sanctions on Iran
US President Donald Trump announces more sanctions on Iran after Saudi Arabia offers proof of Iran’s role in Oil facility attack; US secretary of state Pompeo meets Saudi Crown Prince; Calls attacks on Saudi Arabia ‘Act of War’ and seeks coalition to counter Iran.
President Trump announced an increase in sanctions on Iran on Wednesday after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed the country for an attack on Saudi oil fields. Trump wrote on Twitter that he had asked the Treasury Department to “substantially increase” sanctions on Iran.
“I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!” Trump wrote.
Saudi Arabia was expected to directly blame Iran on Wednesday for the raid that heavily damaged two oil facilities in the kingdom over the weekend. Pompeo was visiting Saudi Arabia to discuss the attack “and coordinate efforts to counter Iranian aggression in the region,” according to the State Department.
Pompeo tweeted on Sunday that “Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply,” adding that there was no evidence that the attack came from Houthi forces in Yemen, who claimed responsibility.
“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,” Pompeo tweeted.
Iran has denied any involvement, but on Wednesday Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saudi Arabia should see the attack as a warning to end its war in Yemen.
