“We believe there are more effective ways to ensure this does not happen again and also to be able to leave room to work with the Saudis on areas where there is mutual agreement – where there are national interests for the United States. That ‘s what diplomacy looks like, “Psaki told CNN’ s Dana Bash on” State of the Union “when asked why the administration is punishing people under the crown prince but not him.
“That is what complex global communications look like and we have not made any secrets and we have been clear that we are going to hold them to account on the global stage and with direct actions, “said Psaki, who cited Khashoggi ‘s 2018 murder as a” horrific crime. ”
On Friday, the administration released a confirmed intelligence report about Khashoggi’s death that said the crown prince had directly approved the killing of the journalist. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced visa restrictions that affected 76 Saudis involved in harassing activists and journalists, but did not announce measures related to a prince despite President Joe Biden ‘s promise to punish Saudi leaders while on the campaign trail.
This story breaks and will be updated.