The Tactics and Strategic Consequences of the Attack on Oil Installations in Saudi Arabia
The Tactics and Strategic Consequences of the Attack on Oil Installations in Saudi Arabia

Author(s): Marcin Andrzej Piotrowski
Subject(s): Governance, Environmental and Energy policy, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Geopolitics, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Saudi Arabia; oil installations; missile and drone attack; escalation of tensions with Iran; security and defence;
Summary/Abstract: Cruise missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil installations suggest that Iran is implementing new tactics and a riskier strategy toward the U.S. and its regional allies. The attacks are the latest escalation of tensions by Iran, which are aims to show the failure of U.S. “maximum pressure” policy. The strikes revealed gaps in Gulf Arab countries’ defence systems and highlighted the vulnerability of oil exporters to different forms of attack. The Aramco attacks should be viewed in the context of Iran gradually over-stepping limits on its nuclear programme. The whole European Union (not just France, Germany and the UK) should take a tougher stance on consequences for Iran should it continue to escalate the situation.

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