Move FM Global News

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Maryland – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday blamed Iran for an attack on Saudi oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf, saying it was an effort by Tehran to push the price of oil higher.

“These were efforts by the Iranians to raise the price of crude oil throughout the world,” he told reporters shortly before embarking on a trip to Europe, where he will confer with high ranking officials in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK.

The secretary confirmed he had seen evidence of Iran’s involvement cited earlier on Thursday by White House National Security Advisor John Bolton. Bolton was in London on Thursday where he spoke to reporters.

“I don’t think anybody who is familiar with the situation in the region, whether they have examined the evidence or not, has come to any conclusion other than that these attacks were carried out by Iran or their surrogates,” Bolton said.

The security advisor said evidence that Iran was behind the attacks would be presented to the United Nations Security Council next week.

Asked if he had seen the evidence, Pompeo said: “Oh yes. Year, and Ambassador Bolton got it right. These were efforts by the Iranians to raise the price of crude oil throughout the world.”

(File photo).