US Sought Saudi Oil Support before Iran Move

A day before US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, one of his senior officials phoned Saudi Arabia to ask the world’s largest oil exporter to help keep prices stable if the decision disrupted supply.


Three sources familiar with the matter said a senior US administration official had called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman before Trump’s announcement to make sure Washington could count on Riyadh. One of the sources said the call took place on May 7. The other two did not specify a date for the call.

Washington was worried that the sanctions would curb deliveries from Iran and push oil prices up, the sources said, according to Reuters.

A White House spokesperson declined to comment on whether a call took place. A senior Saudi official did not confirm the call but said, “We were made aware of the decision on the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) before the announcement. ... We always have conversations with the US about the stability of the oil market.”
  (Tasnim)
 8/6/18
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