KSA shuts down major oil pipeline in reaction to Houthi drone attack

Drone attacks claimed by Iran-aligned Yemen rebels shut down one of Saudi Arabia’s major oil pipelines Tuesday, further ratcheting up Gulf tensions after the mysterious sabotage of several tankers.

Washington and Tehran played down tensions after trading barbs as the Americans sent an aircraft carrier group and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the region to counter alleged threats from Saudi arch-rival Iran.

“We fundamentally do not seek a war with Iran,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Sochi.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam tweeted that the attacks were “a response to the aggressors continuing to commit genocide” against Yemenis.

In a statement, the Houthis warned of other “unique operations… if the aggressors continue with their crimes and blockade“.