Donald Trump to make a case against Iran at UN

Drone attacks on the Abqaiq plant and the Khurais oil field on September 14 reduced the oil production in Saudi Arabia by half. Both the US and Saudi Arabia accused Iran behind the attacks, but Houthis claimed responsibility for the same.

Washington: US President Donald Trump is expected to make a case against Iran at the United Nations this week even as US government insists that it wants to give diplomacy "every opportunity to succeed".

Tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to simmer following the attack on Saudi Arabia's oil fields earlier this month with the US accusing Iran of setting aflame the oil facilities. Iran has denied any involvement in the incident.

Trump said that he is not planning to hold meetings with Iran's leader who will also be attending the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

However, the US government's policy on Iran is to avoid war instead of Yemen's Houthi threats of further attacks against Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack but both the United States and Saudi Arabia have accused Iran of being behind the attacks.

Trump is expected to address the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday whereas Iranian President Hassan Rouhani the following day, sources said.

According to reports, two major Saudi Arabian oil processing facilities, the Abqaiq plant and the Khurais oil field were attacked by drones on September 14 knocking out half the kingdom's oil production.