Iran has warned the US that Washington’s bases are well within reach of Tehran’s missiles after a “startling” escalation in Middle East tension this weekend. A senior Iranian general admitted that country was edging towards a “full-fledged war” with the US, following dramatic accusations of attacking a Saudi oil facility.Tehran has denied launching the drone attack against the Saudi Arabian oil installations on Saturday, which wiped out five percent of the world’s oil supply.
On Saturday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directly blamed Iran for the Saudi attack on Twitter, without offering evidence to support his claim.
He tweeted: “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen. Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply”.
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the United States should consider an attack on Iran’s oil refineries in retaliation.
Senator Graham, a strong ally of President Trump, tweeted: “It is now time for U.S. to put on the table an attack on Iranian oil refineries if they continue their provocations or increase nuclear enrichment.”
General Hajizadeh added: “Because of the tension and sensitive situation, our region is like a powder keg.
“Wherever they are, it only takes one spark and we hit their vessels, their air bases, their troops.”
There have been expectations that president Trump and Iran’s Rouhani might meet during the UN General Assembly later this month to try to reduce tensions.
Iran has previoiusly threatened that if it cannot sell oil, it might not allow others in the Persian Gulf to export their crude.
Analysts, however, anticipate a spike in oil prices when markets reopen Monday in response to the attack.