Saudi oil supplies are back to the same level as pre-terror attack levels, the Saudi energy minister said on Tuesday night.

Saudi Arabia: Oil supply is back online

Both U.S. and Its Ally Saudi blame Iran for the attacks. To know more watch the video.

Saudi Oil Field Attacks: Pompeo heads to Saudi as U.S Blames Iran

Oil prices surged nearly 20 per cent at one point on Monday, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/dollar-falls-oil-exporter-currencies-rise-after-saudi-attacks-yen-firms-249915">Brent crude posting</a> its biggest intraday gain since the Gulf War in 1991, after an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities at the weekend halved the kingdom's production.

Prices came off their peaks after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump authorised the use of his country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-prices-soar-more-than-10-after-saudi-plant-attacks-249877">emergency stockpile</a> to ensure stable supply.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, rose as much as 19.5 per cent&nbsp;to $71.95 per barrel, the biggest intraday jump since January,&nbsp;14, 1991. By 0940 GMT, the contract was at $65.77, up $5.55 or 8.4 per cent.

Watch Video:
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US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures climbed as much as 15.5 per cent&nbsp;to $63.34, the biggest intraday percentage gain since June 22, 1998. The contract was later at $59.54, up $4.69 or 7.88 per cent.

&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter and the attack on state-owned producer Saudi Aramco's crude-processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais has cut output by 5.7 million barrels per day. The company has not given a timeline for the resumption of full output.

Two sources briefed on Aramco's operations said a full return to normal production volumes "may take months".

"To take out over 5 per cent&nbsp;of global supply in a single strike - a volume exceeding cumulative non-OPEC supply growth over 2014-2018 - is highly worrying," UBS analysts said in a note.

"The departure of US&nbsp;National Security Advisor John Bolton last week was interpreted by many as a reduction in political risk - this event may be significant magnitudes more consequential."

Trump said he had approved the release of oil from the US&nbsp;Strategic Petroleum Reserve if needed in a quantity to be determined.

Trump also said the United States was "locked and loaded" for a potential response to the attack.

Major importers of Saudi crude, such as India, China and Indonesia, will be the most vulnerable to the supply disruption.

Saudi oil exports will continue as normal this week as the kingdom taps into stocks from its large storage facilities, an industry source briefed on the developments told Reuters.

South Korea said it would consider releasing oil from its strategic reserves if circumstances worsened in the wake of Saturday's attacks.

The attack on plants in the heartland of Saudi Arabia's oil industry, including the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility at Abqaiq, came from the direction of Iran, and cruise missiles may have been used, a US&nbsp;official said.

"Growing fears of a supply squeeze and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East will add a risk premium for oil prices," said Benjamin Lu, analyst at Singapore-based brokerage Phillip Futures.

Saudi Arabia is set to become a significant buyer of refined products after the attacks, consultancy Energy Aspects said.

Saudi Aramco is likely to buy significant quantities of gasoline, diesel and possibly fuel oil while cutting liquefied petroleum gas exports.

US&nbsp;gasoline futures rose as much as 12.9 per cent, while US&nbsp;heating oil futures gained 10.8 per cent. China's Shanghai crude futures rose to their trading limit gaining 8 per cent at the open.

&nbsp;

Oil prices surged nearly 20 per cent at one point on Monday, with Brent crude posting its biggest intraday gain since the Gulf War in 1991, after an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities at the weekend halved the kingdom's production.

Oil prices surged nearly 20 per cent at one point on Monday, with Brent crude posting its biggest intraday gain since the Gulf War in 1991, after an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities at the weekend halved the kingdom's production. Prices came off their peaks after US President Donald Trump authorised the use of his country's emergency stockpile to ensure stable supply. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, rose as much as 19.5 per cent to $71.95 per barrel, the biggest intraday jump since January, 14, 1991. By 0940 GMT, the contract was at $65.77, up $5.55 or 8.4 per cent. Watch Video: US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures climbed as much as 15.5 per cent to $63.34, the biggest intraday percentage gain since June 22, 1998. The contract was later at $59.54, up $4.69 or 7.88 per cent. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter and the attack on state-owned producer Saudi Aramco's crude-processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais has cut output by 5.7 million barrels per day. The company has not given a timeline for the resumption of full output. Two sources briefed on Aramco's operations said a full return to normal production volumes "may take months". "To take out over 5 per cent of global supply in a single strike - a volume exceeding cumulative non-OPEC supply growth over 2014-2018 - is highly worrying," UBS analysts said in a note. "The departure of US National Security Advisor John Bolton last week was interpreted by many as a reduction in political risk - this event may be significant magnitudes more consequential." Trump said he had approved the release of oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve if needed in a quantity to be determined. Trump also said the United States was "locked and loaded" for a potential response to the attack. Major importers of Saudi crude, such as India, China and Indonesia, will be the most vulnerable to the supply disruption. Saudi oil exports will continue as normal this week as the kingdom taps into stocks from its large storage facilities, an industry source briefed on the developments told Reuters. South Korea said it would consider releasing oil from its strategic reserves if circumstances worsened in the wake of Saturday's attacks. The attack on plants in the heartland of Saudi Arabia's oil industry, including the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility at Abqaiq, came from the direction of Iran, and cruise missiles may have been used, a US official said. "Growing fears of a supply squeeze and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East will add a risk premium for oil prices," said Benjamin Lu, analyst at Singapore-based brokerage Phillip Futures. Saudi Arabia is set to become a significant buyer of refined products after the attacks, consultancy Energy Aspects said. Saudi Aramco is likely to buy significant quantities of gasoline, diesel and possibly fuel oil while cutting liquefied petroleum gas exports. US gasoline futures rose as much as 12.9 per cent, while US heating oil futures gained 10.8 per cent. China's Shanghai crude futures rose to their trading limit gaining 8 per cent at the open.

International oil prices surge nearly 20% after attack on Saudi oil facilities

Drone attack at Saudi Arabia's oil refinery, Massive fire broke out. Watch this video to know more.

Drone attack at Saudi Arabia's oil refinery, Massive fire broke out

A US warship may have brought down two Iranian drones in a stand-off in the Gulf last week that Iran has disputed, the commander of regional forces said Tuesday.

"We are confident we brought down one drone, we may have brought down a second," General Kenneth McKenzie, the CENTCOM commander, told CBS news in an interview aboard the USS Boxer, the vessel at the center of the incident.

"As always it was a complex tactical picture, we believe two drones. We believe two drones were successfully — there may have been more that we are not aware of — those are the two that we engaged successfully," McKenzie said.&nbsp;

CBS said the drones were reportedly brought down by an electronic signal or pulse that disabled their flight controls. One drone disappeared from US military radars while the second was seen hitting the water.

Iran, which last month shot down a US Predator drone that it said had ventured into its airspace, has denied that it lost any of its own unmanned aerial vehicles, after President Donald Trump announced that the USS Boxer had downed one.&nbsp;

Amid soaring tensions in the region, Trump said he had called off strikes against Iran at the last minute in response to the destruction of the US drone.

A series of attacks on oil tankers in the strategically vital waterway, as well as Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in retaliation for Britain impounding one of its own vessels in Gibraltar, have turned the Gulf into a powder keg. 
&nbsp;

A US warship may have brought down two Iranian drones in a stand-off in the Gulf last week that Iran has disputed, the commander of regional forces said Tuesday.

A US warship may have brought down two Iranian drones in a stand-off in the Gulf last week that Iran has disputed, the commander of regional forces said Tuesday. "We are confident we brought down one drone, we may have brought down a second," General Kenneth McKenzie, the CENTCOM commander, told CBS news in an interview aboard the USS Boxer, the vessel at the center of the incident. "As always it was a complex tactical picture, we believe two drones. We believe two drones were successfully — there may have been more that we are not aware of — those are the two that we engaged successfully," McKenzie said. CBS said the drones were reportedly brought down by an electronic signal or pulse that disabled their flight controls. One drone disappeared from US military radars while the second was seen hitting the water. Iran, which last month shot down a US Predator drone that it said had ventured into its airspace, has denied that it lost any of its own unmanned aerial vehicles, after President Donald Trump announced that the USS Boxer had downed one. Amid soaring tensions in the region, Trump said he had called off strikes against Iran at the last minute in response to the destruction of the US drone. A series of attacks on oil tankers in the strategically vital waterway, as well as Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in retaliation for Britain impounding one of its own vessels in Gibraltar, have turned the Gulf into a powder keg.

Confident we downed one Iranian drone, may have brought down a second: US general

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia said it had stopped pumping crude oil along a major pipeline on Tuesday following a drone attack, hours after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nation-says-rebel-pullout-from-yemen-ports-on-track-218105">Yemen's Huthi rebels</a> said they had targeted vital Saudi installations.

Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said two pumping stations on the pipeline from the oil-rich eastern province to the Red Sea had been targeted early on Tuesday.

The vital pipeline has a capacity of at least five million barrels per day.

"Saudi Aramco took precautionary measures and temporarily stopped operation of the pipeline, as it is evaluating the situation and working on restoring the operations of the affected pump station and the pipeline," Falih said in a statement cited by state news agency SPA.

The 1,200-kilometre (750-mile) pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia's main eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port city of Yanbu in the west.

It was created several decades ago as an alternative for Saudi crude exports if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf were to be closed.&nbsp;

The pumping stations reportedly targeted lie west of the capital Riyadh, at Dawadmi and Afeef.

Yemen's Huthi rebels said Tuesday they had attacked several vital Saudi targets with drones.

The reported pipeline attacks came amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-warns-of-conflict-by-accident-in-gulf-218331">spiralling tensions in the Gulf</a>, following a series of mysterious attacks on ships off the coast of the UAE and a major US military deployment to the region.&nbsp;

"The latest acts of terrorism and sabotage in the Arabian Gulf... not only target the Kingdom but also the security of oil supplies to the world and the global economy," he said.

"These attacks prove again that it is important for us to face terrorist entities, including the Houthi militias in Yemen that are backed by Iran."

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia said it had stopped pumping crude oil along a major pipeline on Tuesday following a drone attack, hours after Yemen's Huthi rebels said they had targeted vital Saudi installations.

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia said it had stopped pumping crude oil along a major pipeline on Tuesday following a drone attack, hours after Yemen's Huthi rebels said they had targeted vital Saudi installations. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said two pumping stations on the pipeline from the oil-rich eastern province to the Red Sea had been targeted early on Tuesday. The vital pipeline has a capacity of at least five million barrels per day. "Saudi Aramco took precautionary measures and temporarily stopped operation of the pipeline, as it is evaluating the situation and working on restoring the operations of the affected pump station and the pipeline," Falih said in a statement cited by state news agency SPA. The 1,200-kilometre (750-mile) pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia's main eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port city of Yanbu in the west. It was created several decades ago as an alternative for Saudi crude exports if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf were to be closed. The pumping stations reportedly targeted lie west of the capital Riyadh, at Dawadmi and Afeef. Yemen's Huthi rebels said Tuesday they had attacked several vital Saudi targets with drones. The reported pipeline attacks came amid spiralling tensions in the Gulf, following a series of mysterious attacks on ships off the coast of the UAE and a major US military deployment to the region. "The latest acts of terrorism and sabotage in the Arabian Gulf... not only target the Kingdom but also the security of oil supplies to the world and the global economy," he said. "These attacks prove again that it is important for us to face terrorist entities, including the Houthi militias in Yemen that are backed by Iran."

Saudi Arabia stops pumping oil in major pipeline after Huthi rebel drone strike

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The US has carried out a total of 409 drone attacks in Pakistan targeting suspected militants since January 2004, killing 2,714 people and injuring 728 others, a media report said on Friday.

The attacks, carried out by the CIA-operated drones, over the years have targeted the areas of Bajaur, Bannu, Hangu, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Nushki, Orakzai, and South Waziristan, Dawn reported.

Majority of the drone strikes were carried out during the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party between 2008 and 2012.

Citing sources within the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), the paper said the period saw 336 aerial attacks, in which 2,282 people lost their lives and 658 received injuries.

The officials said that 2010 alone saw 117 attacks that killed 775 people and injured 193 others.

Between 2013 and 2018 -- during the government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz -- 65 drone attacks occurred in which 301 people were killed and 70 others injured.&nbsp;

In 2018, two drone attacks killed one person and injured another.

The top leadership of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has been killed in drone attacks. Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in one of such strikes in 2016.

Days after Mullah Mansour's killing, then Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif had said: "US drone strikes in Pakistani territory are regrettable and must stop."

Pakistan opposes drone strikes, saying they violate its sovereignty. 
The officials said that 289 attacks were conducted in North Waziristan alone, in which 1,651 individuals were killed and 421 others injured. South Waziristan saw 91 attacks that killed 707 individuals and injured 215.&nbsp;

There were 13 strikes in the Kurram Agency that killed 110 and injured 32, five in the Khyber Agency that killed 57 and injured 29, four in the Bajaur Agency that killed 129, two in Hangu that killed seven and injured two, one in the Mohmand Agency that killed 18 and one in Nushki that killed two.

Quoting officials, the paper said that at least 19,177 civilians and officials have been killed so far and 47,869 others injured in the 18,850 terror-related attacks in Pakistan since 2001.

The attacks, they said, mostly targeted Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and were carried out through different methods that included bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks, mine explosions, missiles, rockets, and suicide attacks.

Terrorists also targeted minorities to instigate sectarian violence and employed sophisticated methods, including the usage of Improvised Explosive Devices - vehicle explosive devices as well as radio-controlled improvised devices, the paper said.

In 2018, at least 405 terrorist attacks took place in the country, killing 133 officials and 233 civilians.

In Punjab, 14 incidents of bomb blasts, suicide attacks and engagements with terrorists led to the deaths of six LEA officials and as many civilians this year.

Sindh has seen 11 incidents of terror-related attacks, which included strikes on LEAs, through bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks and general aggressive engagement with terrorists. Two LEA officials and as many civilians lost their lives in the attacks.

There were 51 incidents of targeting LEAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year, resulting in the death of 21 personnel and 11 civilians.

In Balochistan, 172 terror-related incidents were recorded, resulting in the death of 58 personnel and 193 civilians. In Fata, 42 personnel and 21 civilians were killed in 150 terror attacks this year.

The paper reported that capital Islamabad has remained safe so far in the year.

The US has carried out a total of 409 drone attacks in Pakistan targeting suspected militants since January 2004, killing 2,714 people and injuring 728 others, a media report said on Friday.

The US has carried out a total of 409 drone attacks in Pakistan targeting suspected militants since January 2004, killing 2,714 people and injuring 728 others, a media report said on Friday. The attacks, carried out by the CIA-operated drones, over the years have targeted the areas of Bajaur, Bannu, Hangu, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Nushki, Orakzai, and South Waziristan, Dawn reported. Majority of the drone strikes were carried out during the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party between 2008 and 2012. Citing sources within the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), the paper said the period saw 336 aerial attacks, in which 2,282 people lost their lives and 658 received injuries. The officials said that 2010 alone saw 117 attacks that killed 775 people and injured 193 others. Between 2013 and 2018 -- during the government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz -- 65 drone attacks occurred in which 301 people were killed and 70 others injured. In 2018, two drone attacks killed one person and injured another. The top leadership of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has been killed in drone attacks. Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in one of such strikes in 2016. Days after Mullah Mansour's killing, then Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif had said: "US drone strikes in Pakistani territory are regrettable and must stop." Pakistan opposes drone strikes, saying they violate its sovereignty. The officials said that 289 attacks were conducted in North Waziristan alone, in which 1,651 individuals were killed and 421 others injured. South Waziristan saw 91 attacks that killed 707 individuals and injured 215. There were 13 strikes in the Kurram Agency that killed 110 and injured 32, five in the Khyber Agency that killed 57 and injured 29, four in the Bajaur Agency that killed 129, two in Hangu that killed seven and injured two, one in the Mohmand Agency that killed 18 and one in Nushki that killed two. Quoting officials, the paper said that at least 19,177 civilians and officials have been killed so far and 47,869 others injured in the 18,850 terror-related attacks in Pakistan since 2001. The attacks, they said, mostly targeted Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and were carried out through different methods that included bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks, mine explosions, missiles, rockets, and suicide attacks. Terrorists also targeted minorities to instigate sectarian violence and employed sophisticated methods, including the usage of Improvised Explosive Devices - vehicle explosive devices as well as radio-controlled improvised devices, the paper said. In 2018, at least 405 terrorist attacks took place in the country, killing 133 officials and 233 civilians. In Punjab, 14 incidents of bomb blasts, suicide attacks and engagements with terrorists led to the deaths of six LEA officials and as many civilians this year. Sindh has seen 11 incidents of terror-related attacks, which included strikes on LEAs, through bomb explosions, hand grenade attacks and general aggressive engagement with terrorists. Two LEA officials and as many civilians lost their lives in the attacks. There were 51 incidents of targeting LEAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year, resulting in the death of 21 personnel and 11 civilians. In Balochistan, 172 terror-related incidents were recorded, resulting in the death of 58 personnel and 193 civilians. In Fata, 42 personnel and 21 civilians were killed in 150 terror attacks this year. The paper reported that capital Islamabad has remained safe so far in the year.

2,714 people killed in 409 US drone attacks in Pakistan since January 2004: Report 

At least four Taliban commanders were killed in a drone strike carried out by foreign forces in various parts of Afghanistan in the past week.

The attacks had been conducted&nbsp;in the Farah province.

A local news agency quoted&nbsp;Farah Governor Abdul Basir Salangi as saying that the attack killed a Taliban commander Mullah Bari Jan who was guilty of around 300 murders and attacks.

He further confirmed the death of at least 30 Taliban militants including Mullah Hanzala, Mullah Mukhlis and Mullah Abdul Salam.

The Taliban has, however, rejected the same.

Meanwhile, at least four civilians were killed and a further eight others were wounded in airstrikes conducted in Kandahar province's Maroof district on Thursday.

The deceased include&nbsp;at least three women and a child.

The government forces in the district retaliated to the Taliban attack.

Members of the Afghan National Police force had called for air support and the Taliban militants were in civilian houses, leading to the civilian casualties.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

At least four Taliban commanders were killed in a drone strike carried out by foreign forces in various parts of Afghanistan in the past week. The attacks had been conducted in the Farah province.

At least four Taliban commanders were killed in a drone strike carried out by foreign forces in various parts of Afghanistan in the past week. The attacks had been conducted in the Farah province. A local news agency quoted Farah Governor Abdul Basir Salangi as saying that the attack killed a Taliban commander Mullah Bari Jan who was guilty of around 300 murders and attacks. He further confirmed the death of at least 30 Taliban militants including Mullah Hanzala, Mullah Mukhlis and Mullah Abdul Salam. The Taliban has, however, rejected the same. Meanwhile, at least four civilians were killed and a further eight others were wounded in airstrikes conducted in Kandahar province's Maroof district on Thursday. The deceased include at least three women and a child. The government forces in the district retaliated to the Taliban attack. Members of the Afghan National Police force had called for air support and the Taliban militants were in civilian houses, leading to the civilian casualties. (With inputs from ANI)

Afghanistan: Drone strikes kill 4 Taliban commanders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;has decided to target drone procurement as one the main agendas during his two-day US visit which begins on Sunday.

Isreal which is the biggest drone exporter in the world&nbsp;has been eyeing India&#39;s drone market for several years now, PM Modi is set to visit Isreal next month to clinch Heron TP drones.

Israel had displayed the Heron TP drone at the AeroIndia show in Bengaluru in February to lure the Indian government. The drones which are currently in India&#39;s arsenal are mainly for intelligence gathering and surveillance.&nbsp;

India already ranks first among drone-importing nations, according to SIPRI(Stockholm International Peace Research Institute).&nbsp;

The Predator drones have been on India&#39;s radar for several years but the request to buy them has been constantly turned down earlier by the Obama administration. India hopes under Trump they will be able to push the Predator drone deal.

Sources have told Reuters there is some concern in the State Department that if India were to get the surveillance drones, New Delhi would renew its push to acquire armed drones, which its military has eyed ever since they were deployed by US forces against militants in Pakistan.

US export laws prohibit the transfer of arms to a country unless it is fighting alongside US forces.

India had been pushing for attack Predator for several years but the request was constantly turned down

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to target drone procurement as one the main agendas during his two-day US visit which begins on Sunday. Isreal which is the biggest drone exporter in the world has been eyeing India's drone market for several years now, PM Modi is set to visit Isreal next month to clinch Heron TP drones. Israel had displayed the Heron TP drone at the AeroIndia show in Bengaluru in February to lure the Indian government. The drones which are currently in India's arsenal are mainly for intelligence gathering and surveillance. India already ranks first among drone-importing nations, according to SIPRI(Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). The Predator drones have been on India's radar for several years but the request to buy them has been constantly turned down earlier by the Obama administration. India hopes under Trump they will be able to push the Predator drone deal. Sources have told Reuters there is some concern in the State Department that if India were to get the surveillance drones, New Delhi would renew its push to acquire armed drones, which its military has eyed ever since they were deployed by US forces against militants in Pakistan. US export laws prohibit the transfer of arms to a country unless it is fighting alongside US forces.

Predator drones Modi's top agenda during US visit

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