A response is forthcoming, the US president said. Donald Trump announced Wednesday, September 18, a "substantial" tightening of sanctions against Iran, after Saturday's attacks against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, whose responsibility was blamed by Washington Tehran.

"I have just ordered the Treasury Secretary to substantially tighten the sanctions against the Iranian state!" Said the US President on Twitter, without further clarification.

I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to increase sanctions on the country of Iran!

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2019

These sanctions, the nature of which is yet to be detailed, will be in addition to the already unprecedented punitive measures imposed by Washington on Tehran since the Republican billionaire withdrew his country in May 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal, which he considers it insufficient to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring the atomic bomb and destabilizing the Middle East.

Donald Trump, who has been less categorical than his own ministers in recent days over Iran's responsibility for Saturday's attacks on Saudi oil sites, while confirming that he was the prime suspect, had assured as early as Sunday be "ready to fight back" and have many "options".

The US administration does not rule out military retaliation after what it denounces as an "unprecedented attack" against the world's supply of oil.

The head of the American diplomacy, Mike Pompeo, was expected Wednesday in Jeddah to evoke the response with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed ben Salmane.

With AFP