Meathead
Diamond Member
New York Times? And then you threw the Guardian in there as a kicker?!Did Trump's arbitrary decision in May 2018 cause the Saudi oil refinery attack? Ironically, if Trump's secretary of state is right, the answer is an unequivocal "yes."
The New York Times reports, "Drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia on Saturday, damaging facilities that process the vast majority of the country’s crude output and raising the risk of a disruption in world oil supplies.
"The attacks immediately escalated tensions in the Persian Gulf amid a standoff between the United States and Iran, even as key questions remained unanswered — where the drones were launched from, and how the Houthis managed to hit facilities deep in Saudi territory, some 500 miles from Yemeni soil."
According to the Guardian, "The attack reduced production by five million barrels a day – nearly half the kingdom’s output and 5% of global production – according to unnamed Saudi oil ministry sources quoted by the Reuters news agency last night. The reduction will go on for at least 48 hours reports said."
Trump's secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, blames Iran. "Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world's energy supply."
Pompeo also said there was nothing to back the Houthi claim of responsibility. "There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen," Pompeo said.
This begs a question. Is there proof the attacks came from Iran? The answer is no.
There you have it. Officially, the Trump administration blames Iran for the attack.
Mr. Trump, however, did not name Iran, saying he needed to consult with Saudi Arabia first, the New York Times.
Now why is that? Could it be Trump knows exactly where the blame lies if Iran retaliated?
Trump forced Iran into a corner and Iran has struck back.
Signed during the Obama administration, the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) permanently barred Iran from making a nuclear bomb. In May 2018, Trump removed the U.S. from the JCPOA and reimposed the harsh sanctions that stuck a dagger into the heart of the Iranian economy. Iran’s economy came under unprecedented pressure thanks to the reimposed sanctions, especially oil sanctions, with negative 1.5 percent growth in 2018 and an expected negative 3.6 percent growth in 2019.
Iran has bombed and seized oil tankers. While technically a member of the JCPOA, she has resumed her nuclear research in earnest. She has exceeded the amount of processed uranium. She has exceeded the level of uranium enrichment. She has shot down a very expensive American UAV that was spying on Iranian military bases.
All of this came as a result of Trump's regretful decision in May 2018.
And now this.
Saudi Arabia is an important ally of the U.S. and the Saudi royal family have vital business relationships with the Trump Organization. Iran is not able to strike at the American heartland and it would not be prudent to do so.
However, Saudi Arabia is well within range and the Saudi oil refineries are juicy, highly relevant targets that strike at the very heart of the Saudi/American relationship.
If Iran is responsible for this attack, there is a direct link between the attack and Trump's rueful decision in May 2018.
Excellent!!!