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SAUDI-US-IRAN-ENERGY
Iran denies role in Saudi attacks in message to US: state media
TEHRAN, Sept 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Iran has sent the United States a
diplomatic note denying any role in attacks on Saudi oil installations and
warning it would respond to any action, state media said Wednesday.
The formal memo sent on Monday through the Swiss embassy, which represents
US interests in Tehran, “emphasised that Iran has not played any role in this
attack”, the official IRNA news agency said.
It said Iran “denies and condemns claims” by US President Donald Trump and
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that it was behind the attacks.
“It was also emphasised that if any actions are taken against Iran, that
action will face an immediate response from Iran and its scope will not be
limited to just a threat,” IRNA said.
The message was delivered on Monday afternoon, it reported, after Trump
said Iran was likely to have been behind the attacks on its regional arch-
rival Saudi Arabia.
Saturday’s attacks on Saudi energy giant Aramco’s Abqaiq processing plant
and Khurais oil field halved the kingdom’s oil output.
US interests in Iran are represented by the Swiss embassy as the two
countries have not had diplomatic relations since 1980.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1615 hrs