US Pledges Sanctions After Saudi Attacks

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Iran after an attack on Saudi oil facilities, stopping well short of a military response as ambiguity persists over where the attack originated (OD Sep.17'19). "I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase sanctions on the country of Iran!" he wrote on Twitter.

The US Treasury Department has yet to release any new sanctions, but Washington’s options in that space are limited. The US has already driven Iran’s oil exports to historic lows. Ship tracking data shows that only one Iranian crude carrier was due to embark for a known destination during the first 17 days of the month. A second is due to sail on Sep. 20 (IOD Sep.18'19). Revised data for August show that Iranian shipments amounted to just 150,000 b/d.

Read the full story and more in Energy Intelligence.