Saudi crown prince MBS says war with Iran would gut world economy

Author: AFP

WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia´s crown prince said in an interview aired Sunday that war with Iran would devastate the global economy and he prefers a non-military solution to tensions with his regional rival.

“If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests,” Prince Mohammed bin Salman told the CBS program “60 Minutes.”

“Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven´t seen in our lifetimes,” the prince said.

The prince said a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would be catastrophic for the world economy.

“The region represents about 30 percent of the world´s energy supplies, about 20 percent of global trade passages, about four percent of the world GDP. Imagine all of these three things stop,” he said.

“This means a total collapse of the global economy, and not just Saudi Arabia or the Middle East countries.”

He said a September 14 attack on Saudi oil facilities, which his country and the US blamed on Iran, had been senseless.

“There is no strategic goal. Only a fool would attack five percent of global supplies. The only strategic goal is to prove that they are stupid and that is what they did,” said the prince.

Prince Mohammed was asked point-blank if he ordered the killing and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October last year.

“Absolutely not. This was a heinous crime. But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government,” he said.

“When a crime is committed against a Saudi citizen by officials, working for the Saudi government, as a leader I must take responsibility. This was a mistake.”

Body never found

Prince Mohammed, the kingdom´s de facto ruler, has come under huge international pressure after the US-based writer was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Khashoggi´s body was never found.

The prince has said the killing was carried out without his knowledge.

Riyadh has repeatedly denied that Prince Mohammed was behind the murder of Khashoggi — a royal family insider turned critic and a US resident — who was killed in what Saudi authorities have described as a rogue operation.

A report by a UN human rights expert, who conducted an independent probe, said there was “credible evidence” linking the crown prince to the murder and an attempted cover up.

The CIA has also reportedly said the killing was likely ordered by Prince Mohammed.

But Saudi prosecutors have absolved the prince and said around two dozen people implicated in the murder are in custody, with death penalties sought against five men.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Featured

Tapal Danedar: Brewing a Symphony of National Pride and Tradition

In a country where tea is more than just a beverage, Tapal Danedar has long…

2 hours ago
  • Pakistan

IWMI tackles water scarcity in Punjab with groundbreaking GMIS

LAHORE - The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has launched the Groundwater Management Information System…

4 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Punjab Government orders leading private schools to provide transportation for 50% of students by October 1

The Punjab government has directed leading private schools to provide transportation for 50% of their…

5 hours ago
  • Top Stories

President rejects IIOJK Legislative Assembly polls

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday categorically rejected the elections for the Legislative Assembly of…

6 hours ago
  • Entertainment

SARMAD QADEER AND IULIANA BEREGOI TEAM UP FOR A GLOBAL COLLABORATION WITH “BABY DO YOU KNOW”

[Lahore, 19th September 2024] After the critically acclaimed release of “Teri Galli” in July 2024,…

6 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Addressing Bonded Labour and Rights Violations at Brick Kilns

On 18th September 2024, Boded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan held a seminar at Press club…

7 hours ago