U.S. and Saudi Arabia Trade Barbs on Oil-Production Cut, Russia

RIYADH—The White House exchanged rebukes with Saudi Arabia on Thursday after the Biden administration threatened to retaliate for last week’s major oil-production cut by Saudi-led OPEC and its Russia-led allies, deepening Washington’s quarrel with a major Middle East partner.

In a statement overnight, Saudi Arabia rejected U.S. allegations that it had taken Russia’s side in the Ukraine war, and reiterated that the output-cut decision taken by the 23-member group collectively known as OPEC+ was motivated purely by economic considerations.