Saudi Arabia responds to Trump, vows to retaliate against any action

Saudi Arabia is rejecting President Trump’s latest comments related to the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and vowing to retaliate to any actions.

In a statement released Sunday, Saudi Arabia affirmed its “total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it,” according to an English translation of the statement from the Saudi Press Agency.

{mosads}“The kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action,” the statement reads.

Trump, in a new interview on “60 Minutes,” vowed “severe punishment” if Saudi Arabia killed Khashoggi.

Turkish officials say they have evidence that Khashoggi was killed under orders from Riyadh inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The journalist, who was a U.S. resident and wrote for The Washington Post, entered the consulate earlier this month and was never seen leaving the building.

Trump is facing pressure from both sides of the aisle to take action against Saudi Arabia if there is proof that the Saudis are responsible for Khashoggi’s disappearance.

The president said in an interview set to air Sunday night on “60 Minutes” that “we don’t know yet” if Khashoggi was murdered. He also defended a $110 billion arms deal with Riyadh, saying there are “other ways of punishing” Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s government has denied accusations that it is behind Khashoggi’s disappearance and suspected death.

The Saudi Embassy also issued a brief addition to the statement on Twitter, thanking the US for “refraining from jumping to conclusions” about the situation.

“To help clarify recently issued Saudi statement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends it [sic] appreciation to all, including the US administration, for refraining from jumping to conclusions on the ongoing investigation.”

— This report was updated at 2:43 p.m.