Today, Thursday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from his US counterpart, Antony Blinken.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported this evening that the two sides discussed aspects of cooperation regarding regional and international challenges, bilateral relations, and the strategic partnership between the two countries. This call takes place against the backdrop of the Jamal Khashoggi case, which looms over the relations between the two countries. Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as a "shameful act." Blinken stated in remarks to NBC News that the killing of Khashoggi was a shameful act against a journalist residing in the United States, emphasizing that "Washington is reviewing its relationship with Saudi Arabia to ensure it aligns with American interests and principles." The US Secretary of State declined to condemn Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who the CIA concluded ordered Khashoggi's murder.
In September, the Saudi Public Prosecution announced the closure of the Khashoggi case, both publicly and privately, convicting eight individuals in the murder case. The court issued definitive rulings against the eight convicted individuals, according to Article 210 of the Criminal Procedural Law, as stated by the Public Prosecution spokesperson at the time.
Blinken confirmed that Saudi Arabia is considered a "key security partner" for the United States, and that Washington will focus on human rights issues within its relations with Riyadh. He added, "We will continue our joint efforts to defend the Kingdom against external threats while intensifying diplomacy to end the conflict in Yemen and raising human rights issues within our relations." This comes after Biden ordered the cessation of support for military operations in Yemen, a move that Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby stated would end the exchange of intelligence information and advisory support to Saudi forces.
