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Riyadh would not have murdered Khashoggi without US protection: Rouhani

I don’t think that a country would dare commit such a crime without the protection of America, says Rouhani

Reuters October 24, 2018

I don’t think that a country would dare commit such a crime without the protection of America, says Rouhani. PHOTO: REUTERS

GENEVA: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia would not have murdered prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi without American protection, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Saudi authorities staged the “worst cover-up ever” in the killing of Khashoggi in Turkey this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible.

Saudi king, crown prince meet slain Khashoggi family

“No one would imagine that in today’s world and a new century that we would witness such an organized murder and a system would plan out such a heinous murder,” Rouhani said, according to IRNA.

“I don’t think that a country would dare commit such a crime without the protection of America.”

Iran and Saudi Arabia are regional rivals and have supported opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen and different political factions in Iraq and Lebanon.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi's remains found, claims British media

US protection has allowed Saudi Arabia to carry out bombings against civilians in Yemen’s war, Rouhani said, according to IRNA.

“If there was no American protection, would the people of Yemen still have faced the same brutal bombing?” Rouhani said.

Trump terms Khashoggi murder as 'one of the worst cover-ups in history'

Rouhani also called on Turkey’s government to conduct an impartial investigation into Khashoggi’s 'unprecedented' murder.

COMMENTS (2)

cautious | 5 years ago | Reply It's anti American so it's get published in Pakistan ... but like most anti American articles this has zero substance. If the USA wanted to get rid of this guy they would have simply deported him to Saudi Arabia - no muss no fuss. He would have disappeared in a black hole never to re-appear.

Bunny Rabbit | 5 years ago | Reply Yeahhh . we all know that already. Its been nearly a month since JK's " disappearance " . This hide and seek games between US and KSA are getting boring .

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