Iran Press/ Middle East: According to the declassified documents, and given that US officials have stated they will not talk to Mohammed bin Salman, now the question is what effect will the Biden government's approach have on bin Salman's political situation?
The first is that bin Salman's political position inside Saudi Arabia is shaky. The Saudi Crown Prince, who has counted on the US support, practically lost his most important supporter with Donald Trump's defeat.
The release of Jamal Khashoggi's murder report has once again shown bin Salman's brutality. Thus, the mentality is formed within the House of Saud that if Bin Salman gains power, the country will be in danger. Therefore, internal movements against Bin Salman are increasing.
The second issue is the possibility of international action, including the imposition of sanctions on Mohammed bin Salman.
In this regard, Agnes Callamard, a UN Special Rapporteur on Khashoggi's death, said, "Banishing those responsible for ordering the execution of Jamal Khashoggi from the international stage is an important step towards justice and the key to sending the strongest message possible to would-be perpetrators the world over."
The Special Rapporteur added: "We are asking the White House to target not only Bin Salman's personal assets but also his international engagements."
Although the US government is unlikely to impose sanctions on Mohammed bin Salman, external pressure, including public opinion, is mounting against the current Crown Prince.
The third issue is that the risk of losing the throne that Mohammed bin Salman dreams of, is increasing and the position of his rivals is improving again.
The US government has a specific view of former Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, which Mohammed bin Salman severely restricts.
In this regard, Bruce Riedel of the Brookings Institution wrote: "The international community should now take up another cause and demand the release from prison of former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is not being held because of any crime he committed but because he presents a problem for the current crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
Mohammed bin Nayef saved dozens of Americans' lives and defeated al-Qaida in its birthplace. For Washington to press the Saudi leadership on his case would be a perhaps unusual move, but it should be an urgent task, as he is a special case given his considerable contributions to American security. Moreover, his life is very much in danger.
Final point; No matter what effect the release of the US government's report on Jamal Khashoggi's assassination will have on the Saudi Crown Prince's political fate, it should be noted that the assassination of the journalist once again showed Mohammed bin Salman's political immaturity.
Once again, the Saudi Crown Prince must get the US government's support to be the king. Maybe this time, Petro-dollars will not save Bin Salman.
Written by:
Seyyed Razi Emadi
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