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Updated September 22nd, 2019 at 11:58 IST

Iran says it will 'destroy any aggressor' as tensions grips the Gulf

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Maj.-Gen. Salami said in a closed session of Parliament on September 22 that Iran will destroy any aggressors

Reported by: Sounak Mitra
Iran
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Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Maj.-Gen. Hossein Salami said in a closed session of Parliament on September 22 that Iran will destroy any aggressors after attacks on Saudi oil refineries which US and Riyadh officials blamed on Tehran. The head of the Guards,  Salami, said in local broadcast television that aggressors should be careful and also added that limited aggression will not remain limited. He said Iran will pursue any aggressor and maintain a strict policy to punish the aggressor until the complete destruction of the aggressor. After the September 14 drone attacks on Saudi's Aramco oil refineries, US President Donald Trump has approved sending American troops to strengthen Saudi Arabia's air and missile defences. On the other hand, Iran has earlier denied any involvement in the attacks that were claimed by Houthi rebels, a group of militants backed by Iran fighting a Saudi led alliance in Yemen's civil war.

READ: Donald Trump Says Nukes In "tippy-top Shape," Amid Iran-US Tensions

Nancy Pelosi: President Trump's move drew fire

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has said on Saturday that President Trump's move drew fire in Washington and called it his latest outrageous attempt to find a way around Congress. She said the steps taken by Trump are unappropriated and are a cause for alarm. She accused Trump of ignoring to Saudi violence against innocent Yemenis, human rights violence and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She added that the US cannot be more brutal and support bloodshed. She added that Congress will do its job to uphold the constitution, defend its national security and protect the American people. The tensions between the US and Iran have been escalated since President Trump gave up a deal that limits Iran's nuclear activities and imposed new sanctions. Defence Secretary of US  Mark Esper said on Friday that the US's decision to send troops to Saudi Arabia was defensive in nature. He said Saudi and UAE had requested military aid but the total number of troops who will be sent is yet to be decided. President Trump on Friday announced new sanctions against Iran which aimed at avoidance of any military conflict. The new sanctions will focus on Iran's central bank and its sovereign wealth fund said, President Trump.

READ: Trump Deploys More Troops To Gulf, Increases Sanctions On Iran

Background

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for drone attacks on two Saudi Aramco oil refineries in Saudi Arabia on September 14. A regional news agency reported that the Houthi rebels deployed 10 drones against the sites in Abqaiq and Khurais. The attacks took place early on Saturday and resulted in a massive fire which was later extinguished by the Saudi authorities. It is the world's largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil field, though Yemen's Houthi rebels previously launched drone assaults deep inside of the kingdom.US Iran tensions have escalated to new heights this year. The US accused Iran behind the attacks on two oil fields. Tehran rejected the accusations made by the US.
READ: 'Iran Will Destroy Saudi Arabia' In Any War, Warns Hezbollah Leader

READ: Houthi Rebels Claim Drone Attack On Saudi Aramco Oil Refineries

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Published September 22nd, 2019 at 09:20 IST

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