US Embassy In Riyadh Attacked? What We Know About Reports Of Explosion And Fire In Saudi Arabia

MOSCOW, March 2 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed risks of escalation around Iran in a phone call with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Prince Williams trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came at a crucial time for the U.K. but the former Prince Andrew loomed.

Saudi Arabia has denied allegations that it lobbied US President Donald Trump to carry out military strikes against Iran, dismissing recent media reports as false, the Saudi Gazette reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are both accelerating oil exports, adding barrels to global markets at a time when the US is deploying military assets in the Middle East, creating uncertainty about future supply.

Strikes on sites in Qatar and Saudi Arabia forced the closure of key production facilities and added to growing worries about global oil and gas supplies.

Qatar has halted production of liquefied natural gas and tanker traffic has virtually stopped at the Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian attacks raise the risks for the global economy.