RIYADH: Saudi Aramco has temporarily closed its Ras Tanura refinery after it was hit by Iranian drones. As one of Saudi Arabia’s major oil refining hubs, the attack on Ras Tanura has increased fears of a massive disruption in the region’s energy infrastructure.While Aramco’s media office is yet to give an official statement, the Saudi Defence Ministry confirmed that two drones targeting the facility were intercepted.
This attack comes at a time when the global oil market is under extreme pressure. Crude oil prices have seen their highest jump in four years because the conflict with Iran has paralyzed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage handles nearly 20% of the world’s daily oil flow, and many shipowners have stopped their vessels from traveling through it due to safety risks.Earlier, Saudi Arabia said it had stopped “cowardly” Iranian attacks targeting the capital, Riyadh, and other eastern regions.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attacks, stating that they cannot be justified. They emphasized that Saudi Arabia had already made it clear that its airspace and territory were not being used for any US or Israeli operations against Iran. In response to the strikes, Saudi authorities have summoned the Iranian ambassador, Alireza Enayati, to lodge a formal protest. (NDTV)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com