Crown Prince: 9/11 Attacks Aimed to Destroy US-Saudi Relations

During a White House press briefing, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asserted that Osama bin Laden strategically employed Saudi nationals in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. According to Prince Salman, bin Laden’s primary objective was to sever the crucial diplomatic and economic ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia. He explained that bin Laden understood a robust US-Saudi partnership was a significant obstacle to the spread of extremism and terrorism. Citing declassified CIA information, Prince Salman highlighted that bin Laden’s plan was to exploit this connection, and anyone who believes otherwise is inadvertently furthering his agenda. The Crown Prince underscored the necessity for the US and Saudi Arabia to reinforce their alliance to effectively counter global threats, stating that this partnership is vital for worldwide security. He acknowledged the tragedy of 9/11 as a profound error and assured attendees that Saudi Arabia has undertaken comprehensive investigations and enhanced its security infrastructure to prevent future incidents. He conveyed his personal sorrow for the victims’ families. The discussion also included questions regarding the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, where President Trump offered a defense of Prince Salman.