Saudi to unveil 'proof' linking Iran to attacks as U.S. tightens sanctions

Saudi Arabia said it would unveil evidence on Wednesday linking regional foe Iran to attacks on key oil installations, as US President Donald Trump sought to intensify pressure on Tehran by announcing new sanctions.

Saudi Colonel Turki bin Saleh al-Malki speaks during a press conference in Riyadh on September 18, 2019, following the weekend attacks on Saudi Aramco's facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais. Saudi Arabia said that strikes on its oil infrastructure came from the "north" and were sponsored by Iran, but that the kingdom was still investigating the exact launch site. [Photo: AFP/Fayez Nureldine]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was due to hold talks later Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, which has said the weapons used in the strikes were Iranian-made, but has so far not directly blamed its arch-rival.

However, the Saudi defense ministry said its spokesman would present evidence from the site of the weekend attacks that halved Saudi oil production, sending shock waves across global energy markets.

He "will announce the final results of the investigation and present material evidence and Iranian weapons proving the Iranian regime's involvement in the terrorist attack," the ministry said.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler, on Wednesday said the attack on the heart of the kingdom's oil industry was a "real test" of global will, state media reported.

Ahead of Pompeo's arrival in the kingdom, Trump -- who has already re-imposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy -- promised to "substantially increase" the measures.

In a swift response, Riyadh thanked the president for his "unprecedented" stance against Tehran, which Washington has accused of carrying out the strike.

"We will continue to stand with the USA against the forces of evil and senseless aggression," deputy defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Twitter.

Pompeo is set to meet with Prince Mohammed to discuss a response to the strikes.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the administration has concluded that the attack involved cruise missiles from Iran and that evidence would be presented at the UN General Assembly next week.

"As the president said, we don't want war with anybody, but the United States is prepared," Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech in Washington on Tuesday.