It has been claimed that the US has sent two additional Patriot missile batteries to the region to protect oil and natural gas facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
According to a report by the US-based Axios, citing two US officials and one regional source, the shipment took place in recent weeks. The report stated that Washington wanted to reassure its two allies that their critical energy infrastructure would be protected.
It was alleged that this step was taken against the possibility of US President Donald Trump restarting large-scale military operations against Iran. The report noted that in early August, Trump had considered an attack that could also target Iran's energy infrastructure.
According to Axios, the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar conveyed to Trump their concerns that Iran might target their own oil and natural gas facilities in retaliation for a possible attack. US officials argued that these warnings were effective in Trump's decision to abandon the military option and turn toward economic pressure.
The report also recalled that last month, the US deployed one Patriot battery to protect a major oil facility in Saudi Arabia and another Patriot battery to protect a natural gas facility in Qatar.
News Source: 12punto
