GOP senator: Iran is behind attack on Saudi Arabia

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said he thinks Iran was behind the attacks on the oil refineries in Saudi Arabia but believes sanctions are a more appropriate response than military action.

Barrasso, who is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN that he reviewed the classified briefing on the incident Tuesday morning and came to the conclusion that Iran was behind the attack. 

“I believe Iran is the source of the weapons, the missiles, the attacks on Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“I believe Iran is the source of the weapons, the missiles, and the attacks on Saudi Arabia,” says @SenJohnBarrasso.

“What happened this weekend, to me points to who Iran is fundamentally. They are a terrorist nation, they are a global threat,” he adds.https://t.co/zK2inF81mo pic.twitter.com/KAYWBeIx3y

— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) September 17, 2019

When asked if confirmation of Iranian involvement would warrant U.S. military retaliation, the Republican senator said the country should instead focus on the sanctions.

{mosads}”As of this point, no. I think we need to continue with the sanctions,” he said. “They are biting. They are punishing. They’re making a difference.”

The senator believes the sanctions are affecting the country economically, pushing them to take actions like the attacks this weekend.

“I think what they’ve done with this attack is continue what they’ve done for a while of trying to interrupt the flow of oil around the world, driving up the prices so they can sell it,” he said. “They need the money.”

Barrasso said he thinks Saudi Arabia was caught “completely off guard” and needs to prepare for such attacks. 

President Trump has said it looks like Iran was behind the attacks on two oil refineries in Saudi Arabia but said he is awaiting confirmation.

The Foreign Relations Committee member added that he supports the president’s attempts at diplomacy with the country. Iran’s supreme leader canceled any potential talks with the U.S., reports said Tuesday morning.