Saudi Arabia Says It Seeks to Avert War, Ball in Iran’s Court

Saudi Arabia Says It Seeks to Avert War, Ball in Iran’s Court
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting with British government officials in London on March 7. Dan Kitwood-WPA Pool/Getty Images
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RIYADH—Saudi Arabia wants to avert war in the region but stands ready to respond with “all strength and determination” following last week’s attacks on Saudi oil assets, a senior official said on Sunday, adding that the ball was now in Iran’s court.

Riyadh has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesday’s drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group. The attack came two days after four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.