Saudi oil latest: US vows to 'take whatever action necessary' to defend its interests in the Gulf following attacks

The US has vowed to take "whatever action is necessary" to defend its interests in the Gulf following recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday the United States was reviewing evidence which suggests Iran was behind the attacks.

President Donald Trump previously warned that the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond to the attacks, but has emphasised he does not want a war.

On Tuesday, Mr Pence said: "The United States of America will take whatever action is necessary to defend our country, our troops, and our allies in the Gulf. You can count on it."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was traveling to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss the response to the attacks, Pence said.

Meanwhile, the US military has reportedly identified sites in Iran from which it claims cruise missiles were launched at Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

According to the BBC, senior officials told CBS news in America that drones and rockets had come from the south of Iran.

The attack in the early hours of Saturday morning was claimed by the Yemeni Houthi rebels, but President Trump later told reporters that it was ‘looking like’ the nation was behind the incident.

The price of oil soared by 20 percent following the explosions at Saudi Aramco’s facilities.

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier today ruled out talks with Mr Trump in the wake of tensions in the Middle East.

The raised temperatures come following a turbulent year, with Mr Trump imposing crippling sanctions on Iran.

There was a previous threat of military action when an Iranian tanker was captured in the strait of Gibraltar, and the British Stena Impero was captured response.