Tehran, Mar 03 (V7N) — Iran has claimed that Israel was responsible for the recent drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco, calling the incident a “false flag” operation intended to mislead regional countries and international observers.

A senior Iranian military official made the statement in an interview with the Tehran-based Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday (March 3). The official said the attack was designed to divert attention from Israel’s alleged involvement in the recent strikes on Iranian targets.

Iran has repeatedly warned that it will target American and Israeli assets in the region, and several sites have reportedly already been attacked. However, the official clarified that Aramco facilities in Saudi Arabia have not been targeted by Iran so far.

The drone strike on Aramco’s oil refinery, reported yesterday by international media, caused a limited fire that was quickly brought under control. While initial reports blamed Iran for the attack, Tehran insists the operation was orchestrated by Israel to create confusion and shift blame.

Experts note that a “false flag” operation is a covert tactic in which an attack is carried out or staged in a way that makes it appear as though another party is responsible. Such operations are typically used to justify military action, manipulate public opinion, or conceal the true perpetrator.

The claim adds another layer of complexity to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, where a series of strikes and counter-strikes have intensified geopolitical uncertainty.

END/SMA/AJ