British PM: Iran Responsible for Saudi Attacks

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is the first European leader to conclude that Iran was responsible for last week’s attacks on Saudi oil assets. He said that London was prepared to take part in a US-led effort to enhance the Sunni Muslim kingdom’s defense capabilities, before qualifying that his preference was to attempt to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf. Johnson made his comments while en route to New York to attend the annual opening session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump. “The UK is attributing responsibility with a very high degree of probability to Iran,” Johnson said, adding that he was also scheduled for a face-to-face with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The White House announced that it would send hundreds of US troops as well as air-defense equipment to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the wake of the assault on the oil assets.