Iran Press/Middle East: Treasury said the targets of the sanctions—including the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s trusted adviser, Saud Al-Qahtani, senior aide Maher Mutreb and Riyadh’s counsel general in Istanbul, Mohammed al-Ootaibi—were blacklisted for gross human rights abuses, New York Times reported.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the individuals “targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States,” and “must face consequences for their actions.” Khashoggi was a columnist for the Washington Post.
On October 20, Saudi Arabia has admitted dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi died shortly after he entered the Saudi embassy in Istanbul and claimed that he was killed in a “fist-fight”.
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Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi killed in its consulate
Under the sanctions, any assets those officials have within US jurisdictions are blocked, the individuals are blocked from entering the US, and US-based firms are prohibited from any transactions with them.
Earlier on October 19, Republican and Democrat lawmakers have called on the US to halt sales of arms to Saudi Arabia and to conduct an independent investigation into Khashoggi’s death saying that any investigation by the Saudis could not be trusted.
US Senator Rand Paul has called for all military sales and aid to Saudi Arabia to be halted immediately. 103
Read more:
Guardian: Khashoggi killed for revealing Saudi funding of anti-Iran TV channel
Who orders Khashoggi's killing? Erdogan asks Saudis
Saudi Arabia distracts public opinion from Khashoggi case by targeting IRGC: Iran
