Pentagon chief blames Iran for 'unprecedented attack' on Saudi oil facilities as military considers options

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper blamed Iran for a series of coordinated attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities following a meeting at the White House to brief President Trump on the situation, saying that the Pentagon was considering its options.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen took credit for the Saturday strikes, which disrupted 5% of the world's daily oil supply, but American officials believe Iran was directly responsible.

"The United States military, with our interagency team, is working with our partners to address this unprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that is being undermined by Iran," Esper said in a series of tweets.

Esper said that he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Iraqi defense minister Najah al-Shammari about the attacks over the weekend and briefed Trump on Monday. Trump said it "certainly would look" like Iran was behind the attacks, adding that the United States "is more prepared" for a conflict than any country in history.