The United States Energy Department said it is set to use resources from the Strategic Petroleum Oil Reserves, 'if necessary, to offset any disruptions to oil markets,' in the wake of a drone attack in Saudi Arabia on the world's largest oil processing facility.

A statement Saturday night said Energy Secretary Rick Perry has also directed department leadership to work with the International Energy Agency on potential available options for collective global action if needed. Nations of the 30-member IEA seek to respond to disruptions in the oil supply and advocate for energy policy.

A military spokesman for Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed the drone attack on two major installations at the Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

He said the Houthis sent 10 drones to attack an oil processing facility in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil field, and warned attacks by the rebels against the kingdom would only get worse if the war in Yemen continues.



Fires burns after a drone strike by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group on Saudi company Aramco oil processing facilities Saturday

Smoke billows from the Aramco oil facilities in Saudi Arabia after drone attacks Saturday

Saudi Arabia's energy minister confirmed the attacks on its oil facilities knocked out about 50% of the country's production and said it will make up for some of the loss with oil stocks.

Huge fires were seen after Yemen's Houthi rebels used drones to attack the Abqaiq oil processing facility and the Khurais oil field. Saudi officials say production operations at the sites have been temporarily suspended. The Saudi Press Agency, though, said there were no injuries.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is blaming Iran for drone attacks. In tweets he wrote, 'There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen' and points the finger at Tehran. He adds, 'Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world's energy supply.'

The minister said early estimates 5.7 million barrels a day of oil production were lost, and the supply of ethane and natural gas also was cut by about half.

The U.S. strategic oil reserves holds 630 million barrels.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was quick to blame Iran for the drone attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia Saturday

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blames Iran for drone attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia

Smoke fills up the Saudi Arabian sky following drone attacks at the Aramco oil facility Saturday

Pompeo also call on all nations to 'publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran's attacks.' He said the U.S. will work with its partners to ensure 'energy markets remain will supplied and Iran is help accountable for its aggressive.'

President Trump was in contact with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman 'to offer his support.' The White House said in a statement that the U.S. 'strongly condemns [Saturday's] attack on critical energy infrastructure.'

Fire and smoke encompass the sky after a drone attack at Saudi Arabian oil facility Saturday

A satellite image shows the thick, black smoke from a Saudi Arabian oil facilities drone attack

A White House spokesman said the attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis 'only deepen conflict and mistrust.'

The crown prince assured Trump that Saudi Arabia is 'willing and able to confront and deal with this terrorist aggression,' according to the release.

The attacks come as Trump has held the door open for nuclear talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and as Iran restarted some uranium enrichment in violation of the 2015 nuclear accord.

The U.N. special envoy for Yemen says he is 'extremely concerned' about the drone attack claimed by Houthi rebels on two major oil installations in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi rebels spokeperson Yahia Marie said, 'The only option for the Saudi government is to stop attacking us.'

A Saudi-led coalition has been battling the rebels since March 2015.