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France, Germany And The U.K. Blame Iran For Saudi Oil Attacks

In a joint statement, the three governments said, "It is clear to us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack."

France, Germany And The U.K. Blame Iran For Saudi Oil Attacks
CNN / Nic Robertson
SMS

France, Germany and the U.K. now blame Iran for attacks on two major Saudi oil facilities earlier this month. 

In a joint statement, the three governments said: "It is clear to us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other plausible explanation."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Monday during the U.N. General Assembly to discuss their strategy on Iran. 

All three countries have been struggling to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was thrown into question after the Trump administration withdrew from it last year.

Since then, the U.S. has gradually reimposed sanctions on Iran, which hit the country's economy hard.

Iran wants Europe to help lessen the pressure put on the country by those U.S. sanctions. In an effort to force Europe to act, Iran's gradually been abandoning key commitments it made under the nuclear deal.

Throughout all of this, the three countries have tried to maintain good relations with Iran. But blaming the country for the Saudi oil attacks could throw a wrench in things. For its part, Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks. 

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN