Riyadh Rejects US Suggestion That S.A. Is Unreliable Partner

Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud has hit back against US suggestions that Saudi Arabia has proven to be an unreliable energy partner, stating that: "Saudi Arabia is the most secure and reliable oil provider."

• The minister says that Riyadh has played a key role in mitigating the European energy crisis: "We are engaged with many European governments regarding the current crisis. Last year Saudi Aramco was supplying Europe with 490,000 barrels, this September is was 950,000 barrels."
• US Senator Richard Blumental (D-CT) penned an op-ed in Foreign Affairs yesterday accusing Saudi Arabia of "hostile actions."
• Blumenthal: "The timing [of the OPEC+ oil production cut] appears designed not only to fuel Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine but also to reverse the aggressive work that the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration have done to counter high inflation rates and bring down gas prices."
• Blumenthal has unveiled legislation that would terminate US arms sales to Riyadh: "If the Saudis reverse course and restore promised oil-production levels, Washington should reconsider the pause on some less sensitive weapons sales and related activities..."