Saudis opt for words not weapons
The kingdom sees Iran's hand behind the recent attacks but is holding fire for now
Saudis were shocked and angered by the audacious drone assault on oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais. But, as efforts were made to maintain the flow of crude oil out of the kingdom, the official reaction to the devastating attacks was surprisingly restrained. The cabinet was not summoned into emergency session, nor were there immediate calls for retaliation. The Saudis have presented evidence that they say proves the drones and missiles used were Iranian and were not fired from Yemen. They also believe that Iran was involved in launching the weapons. But, in general, the focus has been on portraying the incident as an act of terrorism against vital energy targets that should concern the wh
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation






