While Khashoggi’s death sparked a global uproar and tarnished the crown prince’s reputation, the Trump administration’s tense standoff with Iran, Saudi Arabia’s arch-foe, has more recently dominated US policy toward Riyadh, especially after the Sept. 14 attacks on the heartland of the Saudi oil industry. “If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests,” the crown prince said. But he said he preferred a peaceful resolution because a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would collapse the global economy. The crown prince also said U.S. President Donald Trump should meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to craft a new deal on Tehran’s nuclear program and influence across the Middle East. ‘Absolutely not’Days before the anniversary of the killing of Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey, the crown prince said: “Absolutely not,” when asked if he ordered the murder.

Source: Hindustan Times September 30, 2019 02:38 UTC