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IRAN-CONFLICT-OIL
Iran’s oil sector on ‘full alert’ against attacks
TEHRAN, Sept 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Iran’s oil minister on Sunday ordered
his country’s energy sector to be on high alert to the threat of “physical
and cyber” attacks.
Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said “it is necessary for all companies and
installations of the oil industry to be on full alert against physical and
cyber threats,” in a statement published on the oil ministry’s Shana website.
Zanganeh said precautions were needed due to American sanctions and the
“full-scale economic war” that the Islamic republic accuses the United States
of waging against it.
Washington, Riyadh, Berlin, London and Paris blame Iran for attacks that
damaged the Saudi oil sector on September 14 and forced the world’s largest
crude exporter to sharply reduce production.
Tehran denied any link to the strikes, which were claimed by Huthi rebels
in Yemen. Iran supports the rebels against a Saudi-led coalition that has
been fighting the Huthis since 2015.
Following the attacks, US President Donald Trump said he was preparing a
response. Several days later he endorsed military restraint, signalling his
preference for intensifying a “maximum pressure” campaign through economic
sanctions.
Iran denied press reports on September 21 that its oil installations were
disrupted by a cyber attack.
BSS/AFP/RY/1915 hrs