MOSCOW. Sept 16 (Interfax) - Chairman of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky has called for exercising restraint in connection with the drone attack on an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia.
The enterprises of Saudi Aramco, a national oil company of Saudi Arabia, were attacked by drones in the early hours of September 14. In particular, one of the world's largest oil refineries, located in the eastern part of the country, was attacked. As a result, oil extraction was halved in Saudi Arabia, by 5.7 million barrels per day. Yemen Houthis insurgents claimed responsibility for the attack, but the United States doubted their involvement and blamed the attack on Iran. Tehran denies these accusations.
"I don't rule out that a separate discussion at the level of the UN Security Council will be needed in the event of further escalation," Slutsky told reporters on Monday.
"In this situation, all parties should exercise restraint. It is necessary to stay calm and wait for the results of the investigation into the attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia," he said.
"The reports saying that the United States may use force in retaliation to the attack on the oil refinery in Saudi Arabia and the direct accusations made against Iran by Secretary of State Pompeo are, undoubtedly, alarming," Slutsky said.
"Washington is consistently fueling tensions in the region to get the global community to justify its aggressive policies on Tehran, including the steps to withdraw from the JCPOA and resume sanctions pressure," he said.
"The departure of John Bolton, one of the most active hawks, from the U.S. administration has not changed anything in the U.S. approaches on the Iranian track," Slutsky said.