Russia, Saudi Arabia discuss Aramco attack

MOSCOW

Russia's President Vladimir Putin discussed on Wednesday a recent drone attacks on two Saudi Aramco oil facilities in a phone call with the kingdom's crown prince.

During his conversation with Mohammed bin Salman, Putin expressed concern over aggression towards oil refineries and urged a "careful and impartial investigation", the Kremlin said in a statement.

"The situation on the global hydrocarbons market, including the implementation of agreements in the OPEC + format, was examined. A mutual stance to continue close coordination in order to stabilize world oil prices was expressed," the statement said.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia temporarily cut oil production from the two oil facilities, adding up to nearly 2 million barrels per day, but on Tuesday Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said production had returned to pre-attack levels.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of directing the attacks while Saudi Arabia awaits the results of the investigation.

Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis were killed and the country was pushed to the brink of famine.

In recent months, Houthis, whose mid- and long-range ballistic missiles are usually intercepted by Saudi air defense systems, have targeted certain strategic parts of Saudi Arabia with armed drones.

MOSCOW

Russia's President Vladimir Putin discussed on Wednesday a recent drone attacks on two Saudi Aramco oil facilities in a phone call with the kingdom's crown prince.

During his conversation with Mohammed bin Salman, Putin expressed concern over aggression towards oil refineries and urged a "careful and impartial investigation", the Kremlin said in a statement.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of directing the attacks while Saudi Arabia awaits the results of the investigation.

Since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis were killed and the country was pushed to the brink of famine.

In recent months, Houthis, whose mid- and long-range ballistic missiles are usually intercepted by Saudi air defense systems, have targeted certain strategic parts of Saudi Arabia with armed drones.