United States President Donald Trump had held a telephonic conversation on Tuesday with Saudi Arabia crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which both the leaders discussed human rights and Iran issues.
According to ANI news reports, the telephonic conversation between MBS and Trump has come amid Saudi human rights issues as it came under the lens after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi consulate of Istanbul last year on October 2.
The White House, in a statement, was quoted by The Hill as stating, “They discussed Saudi Arabia’s critical role in ensuring Middle East stability, maintaining maximum pressure against Iran, and the importance of human rights issues.”
The US presidential administration has been facing a strong condemnation from the lawmakers for its response to Khashoggi’s murder.
Saudi Arabia has acknowledged, after several assessments, that the journalist was murdered during what it had termed as a “rogue operation”.
Though, the CIA assessments have alleged that Khashoggi’s killing was enacted upon the orders delivered by MBS.
On Monday, the US barred the entry of 16 Saudi nationals into the country as found to have a connection with Khashoggi’s killing, at the same time, Washington has designated Iranian revolutionary guards as a foreign terror outfit.