US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran was probably responsible for an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia that forced the shutdown of the kingdom's East-West oil pipeline, a key route for exporting crude while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Trump said, "I think they are, probably they are," when asked whether Iran was responsible for the attack on the oil conduit.

Trump said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a "good friend."

Trump also said Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels had contacted his administration and indicated that they did not want the United States to become directly involved in the conflict. He said they would much prefer not having the US involved and were letting most ships go through.