UK to work with allies on oil attack response

TALKS: Johnson and Merkel discuss way forward after weekend missile attacks on Saudi Arabian facilities

The UK and Germany will work with allies on a “collective response” to the attack on Saudi oil facilities.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the situation in a phone call yesterday.

Downing Street said work is still ongoing to establish what happened in the attacks at a processing plant and a key oil field.

The US has alleged Iran was responsible for the attacks – a claim Tehran denies.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who are at war with a Saudi-led coalition which is trying to restore Yemen’s internationally-recognised government to power, have claimed they carried out the strikes.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson and Mrs Merkel “discussed Saturday’s attacks in Saudi Arabia and the need to work together, alongside international partners, to agree a collective response”.

A spokesman added: “On the issue of Iran, they reaffirmed their commitment to a common approach and the importance of avoiding the further escalation of tensions in the region.”

The UK, Germany and France have worked closely together on the diplomatic handling of Iran, backing the country’s nuclear deal even after Donald Trump pulled the US out of it.

Mr Trump declared on Monday that it “looks” like Iran was behind the attack on the oil facilities but he stressed that military retaliation was not yet on the table.

The UK has not yet attributed responsibility for the attack, which has caused turbulence in oil markets and could have a knock-on effect on prices at the petrol pump.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said Mr Johnson has been regularly updated on developments.

“He has been having discussions with officials and his Cabinet colleagues.

“Work is still ongoing to establish precisely what happened.”

American officials released satellite images of the damage and said the attackers used multiple cruise missiles and drone aircraft.

Independent experts said the satellite images show the attackers had detailed knowledge of which tanks and machinery to hit within the sprawling Saudi oil processing facility at Abqaiq to cripple production.

The US alleges the pattern of destruction suggested Saturday’s attack did not come from neighbouring Yemen, as claimed by the Houthi rebels.

The Saudis have invited the UN and other international experts to help investigate, suggesting there is no rush to retaliate.