According to a US intelligence analysis, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman authorised an attempt to catch or destroy journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, which may further complicate US-Saudi relations as the White House reassesses links with Riyadh.
The report, published on Friday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, cited the crown prince’s influence over decision-making in Saudi Arabia, as well as the role of a key adviser and members of the prince’s security detail in the operation that killed Khashoggi, a critic of the royal family.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken placed visa limits on 76 Saudis who are “believed to have been involved in harassing activists abroad, including but not limited to the Khashoggi murder.” A State Department spokesperson refused to include the identities of those people, citing the protection of visa documents under US law.
