UN report places the blame for Saudi attack on Iranians

CRUISE missiles that slammed into a Saudi oil complex last year probably came from Iran, the United Nations concluded in a confidential report.

This finding supports US allegations that the Tehran government was behind the attack, which sent tremors through energy markets.

The UN found that the weapons used in that attack and others were of “Iranian origin”, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the semi-annual report which was sent on Thursday to the Security Council.

Guterres also pointed out that “these items may have been transferred in a manner inconsistent with” UN resolutions.

Missiles and a swarm of drones set off fires at the crude processing plant in Afif in May 2019, causing extensive damage. The Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been battling a Saudi-led coalition in that country’s civil war, claimed responsibility.

However, once the planning and military sophistication that went into the assault became apparent, suspicion quickly shifted to the Iranians, who have been supporting the Houthis.

Investigators analysed the debris of cruise missiles and drones in that attack and attacks on the Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The investigators concluded that the delta-wing drones deployed in the attacks were of Iranian origin.

The findings come as the Trump administration seeks to renew a UN arms embargo on Iran that’s set to expire this year as part of the 2015 nuclear deal, from which US President Donald Trump has withdrawn.

Russia and China have already said they won’t support it.