Simon Henderson is the Baker Senior Fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute, specializing in energy matters and the conservative Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
Articles & Testimony
So far, Tehran appears to have judged quite well what it can get away with, a track record that will likely give Riyadh pause as it considers its response.
Details of Saturday’s attack on the Abqaiq oil processing plant in Saudi Arabia are still elusive but, in light of previous Iranian-instigated attacks, it was utterly predictable. Most people had never heard of Abqaiq before, but it is a crucial installation in the Saudi kingdom, processing oil for export. Iran has denied any hand in the attack, but Washington insists it has proof of Iran’s involvement. So how will Saudi Arabia deal with this attack? The views of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman are more realistic, albeit visceral, at least according to those who have discussed the subject with him...
