Saudi Arabia has dramatically halted operations at its huge Ras Tanura refinery – one of the world’s biggest oil facilities – after an Iranian drone strike earlier today. Iran has rejected an ultimatum by Donald Trump to lay down its weapons after two days of fighting and launched new attacks on Israel and across the Middle East.
The Saudi defence ministry has confirmed two missiles were intercepted and destroyed at the plant which produces around 550,000 barrels per day and is a cornerstone of the kingdom’s energy sector. One Middle East expert said the attack marked a ‘significant escalation’ by Iran and meant Saudi Arabia would be drawn closer into joining the US and Israel in military operations against Tehran.
