Obama calls Saudi King Adbullah on Iran plot

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama Wednesday called Saudi King Abdullah to discuss what US authorities said was a thwarted plot by Iranian government elements to assassinate the Saudi envoy to Washington.

The White House said the two leaders decried a “flagrant violation” of international norms and agreed to pursue a “strong and unified international response that holds those responsible accountable for their actions.”
“President Obama spoke to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia today about the successful disruption of the Iranian-directed conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Washington, DC,” a White House statement said.
“The president and the king agreed that this plot represents a flagrant violation of fundamental international norms, ethics, and law.
“The president and the king reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.”
Earlier, the United States urged the world to take collective action against Iran with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton labeling the alleged plot by Al Quds force members to kill the Saudi ambassador a “dangerous escalation.”
But Iran said that the idea it schemed to kill Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir was deluded and accused the United States of fabricating the charge to distract from its domestic economic woes.
Earlier this year, amid Saudi disquiet over the eventually supportive stance of the Obama administration to Arab spring demonstrations, ties between Riyadh and Washington soured.
But US national security advisor Tom Donilon said in September that despite “scratchy” disagreements over Arab revolutions, ties were back in good shape and the sides seemed to close ranks following the discovery of the alleged plot.