The U.S. State Department says Washington has been in direct contact with Islamic Republic officials in connection with the alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S.
Iran has rejected the accusation that the Quds Forces of the Revolutionary Guards had any involvement in a plot to assassinate Adel al-Jubeir in a bombing, describing the allegations as “a childish game.”
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said yesterday that the department has established “direct contact with Iran” about the alleged plot.
U.S. President Barack Obama also announced that he holds Iran responsible for the plot and sees it as “part of a pattern of dangerous and reckless behaviour” by the Iranian government. He added that the U.S. and its allies will consider tighter sanctions against Iran.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury boycotted Mahan Air for its connection to the Quds Forces and has also been urged to consider international sanctions against Iran’s Central Bank.
Obama added that even if Iran’s leaders did not have detailed operational knowledge of the alleged plot against the Saudi ambassador in the United States, “there has to be accountability with respect to anyone in the Iranian government” engaging in such activity.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has condemned the “recurring U.S. projects against Iran,” insisting that they all will fail.
