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President Trump said Sunday that US investigators had "reason to believe" that they knew who had launched crippling attacks against a key Saudi oil facility, and had promised that America was "locked and charged according to the verifications ".
Although he did not say who he thought was responsible for Saturday's drone attacks, US investigators have already blamed Iran.
"Saudi Arabia's oil supply has been attacked.We have reason to believe that we know the culprit, we are locked and loaded according to the verifications, but we expect the Kingdom to tell us who they think was at the origin of this attack and under what terms we would proceed! " tweeted.
Earlier Sunday, Trump authorized the use of emergency oil reserves in Texas and other states after the attack on Saudi Arabia 's oil processing facilities, raising fears of a soaring oil prices when markets reopen on Monday.
President wrote that he had authorized the release of oil from the strategic oil reserve, "in a quantity to be determined sufficient to keep the markets well stocked".
"I have also informed all appropriate agencies to expedite the approval of pipelines being licensed in Texas and in various other states."
The Saudi oil sites attacked on Saturday during an Iran-related drone assault halted crude oil production for about 5.7 million barrels, or more than 5 percent of the world's daily supply.
Iran-backed Yemeni-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, but the US accused Iran of launching the attack. Tehran denied any involvement, calling the accusations "maximum lies".
Saturday's satellite image showed thick black smoke emanating from Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing plant in Buqyaq, Saudi Arabia.
(Planet Labs Inc. via AP)
The strategic oil reserve, located in Texas and Louisiana, is the largest government-owned stock of emergency crude oil in the world, according to the Ministry of Energy, which manages supply.
The emergency reserve was created in the mid 1970s, due to rising gasoline prices brought about by the embargo on Arab oil. Under US law, presidents may allow the use of reserves if a major disruption threatens the economy.
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The oil reserve held by the federal government, containing hundreds of millions of barrels of crude oil, has been exploited only three times, the last time in 2011 amid unrest in Libya.
"This president and his national security team, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo – our country's chief diplomat – retain many options, including retaliation for perverse behavior and the protection of US interests. of our American economy, "said Kellyanne Conway, advisor to President Trump, in" Fox News Sunday ".
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Saturday's attack had no immediate impact on world oil prices as the markets were closed for the weekend. Some analysts warned, however, that oil prices could rise as markets reopen on Monday.
Bill Hemmer, Stephen Sorace and Fox News Associated Press contributed to this report.
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