Reuters
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Friday that the intelligence assessment on the killing of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks for itself.
He added that the steps taken by Washington today are important to reset US-Saudi relations.
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Blinken said the United States took a number of aggressive steps today to prevent similar behavior from Saudi Arabia in the future.
The American diplomat stated that what Washington did does not tear relations with Saudi Arabia, but it is restraining them, explaining that they are already witnessing some results to reset relations with the Saudis.
Blinken did not elaborate on the reason for the reluctance of the United States to impose sanctions on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who the report said had approved the Khashoggi killing in 2018.
On the other hand, the American Secretary said that the United States is in the process of reviewing arms sales to Saudi Arabia in light of the operations in Yemen, stressing in the context that his country will remain committed to the defense of Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced a “Khashoggi ban” on individuals who had participated in activities against dissidents.
Blinken said the ministry had imposed visa restrictions on 76 Saudis.
The American minister stressed that the United States will not tolerate Saudi threats and attacks against activists, dissidents and journalists.
The diplomat said Washington was still interested in its relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The decision followed the release of a CIA report linking the Saudi government to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Source: Agencies
