English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Latest world news

Turkish Official Confirm Khashoggi Killed On Saudi Royal Order

Published

on

Turkish Official Confirm Khashoggi Killed On Saudi Royal Order

Finally it is concluded by top Turkish security officials that the Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul “on orders from the highest levels of the royal court”, a senior official said Tuesday.

This was revealed by David D. Kirpatrick and Carlotta Gall, the New York Times journalists based in Turkish capital Ankara. They quoted Turkish unanimous official who described “a quick and complex operation in which Mr. Khashoggi was killed within two hours of his arrival at the consulate” by a team of Saudi agents, who dismembered his body with a bone saw they brought for the purpose.

Turkish Official Confirm Khashoggi Killed On Saudi Royal Order

“It is like Pulp Fiction,” the senior official was quoted as saying, referring to the graphically violent 1994 Hollywood movie by director Quentin Tarantino.

So far Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have denied the allegations, insisting that Khashoggi left the consulate freely shortly after he arrived. But for supporting their claim they could not present any proof, a video footage or else. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has catagorically demanded that the Saudis provide evidencein support of their claim.

Read More: Erdogan asks Saudis to provide video of Khashoggi’s departure

New York Times reports that it remains unclear “how the Turkish government determined that Khashoggi had been killed, but the conclusion that the Saudi royal court ordered it could increase the pressure on both sides of the dispute”.

It observed that “Turkish officials have left things murky enough — speaking on condition of anonymity and refusing to publicly disclose their evidence” — that such possibilities cannot be ruled out.

Turkish Official Confirm Khashoggi Killed On Saudi Royal Order

The Turkish official who declined to be identified said that the security establishment concluded that Khashoggi’s killing was “directed from the top” because only the most senior Saudi leaders could order an operation of such scale and complexity.

Read More: Istanbul: Missing Journalist Khashoggi Killed In Saudi Mission

There have been numerous reports that fifteen Saudi agents had arrived on two charter flights on October 2, the day when Khashoggi disappeared. All  of them left just a few hours later, and Turkey has now identified the roles that most or all of them held in the Saudi government or security services, the official said. One was an autopsy expert, presumably there to help dismember the body, the official said.

Meanwhile, Khashoggi’s Turkish fiancée Hettis Cengiz, in an article published in Washington Post, has revealed that the dissident journalist had earlier visited the Saudi consulate on September 28, when he was warmly welcomed by the mission officials. She said that Khashoggi was pretty confident that nothing will happen to him on Trukish soil.

Read More: Khshoggi’s Death: Turkish Investigators Focus On Black Vehicles

Meanwhile, Daily Sabah, a Turkish newspaper  which is considered to be close the authorities, has on Tuesday published the names along with photographs of the alleged 15-member Saudi assassination team accused of travelling to Istanbul on the day Khashoggi disappeared. The suspects are wanted by Turkish authorities for questioning, the daily said.

Turkish Official Confirm Khashoggi Killed On Saudi Royal OrderIn a related development, Bob Corker, an American Senator  who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Tuesday “everything today points to” Khashoggi’s murder last week inside the Saudi consulate.he told Daily Beast that his view was reaffirmed “after viewing classified intelligence” about the disappearance.

Read More: Saudi Arabia Denies Detaining Dissident Journalist

“It points to the idea that whatever has happened to him, the Saudis – I mean, they’ve got some explaining to do,” Corker was quoted as saying.

In another important development, on Tuesday, the Washington Post has revealed that “US intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials planning to abduct the prominent journalist.”

The Washington Post quoted a person familiar with the information saying, “Saudis wanted to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and lay hands on him there.”

Khashoggi entered the consulate on October 2 to handle a routine paperwork issue but never came out. His fiancée Hattis Cengiz was waiting outside the mission. She alarmed the Turkish police and office of country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Latest world news

Khamenei warns US against deceitful actions as Trump announces 25% tariff threat

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States against “deceitful actions” after Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff threat, as protests continue to challenge Iran’s leadership.

Published

on

khamenei

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States to stop what he described as “deceitful actions” and reliance on “traitorous hirelings,” responding to escalating pressure from US President Donald Trump, including a proposed 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran.

In a post on X, Khamenei said the Iranian nation had demonstrated its resolve in the face of external pressure and issued a warning to American politicians. He asserted that Iran remained strong, aware of its adversaries, and firmly present on the political stage.

Protests pose major challenge to Iran’s leadership

Khamenei’s remarks come amid more than two weeks of nationwide demonstrations that began over economic grievances and have since grown into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocratic system since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Rights groups have claimed that at least 646 people have been killed during the protests, which have spread across several cities. The unrest has intensified international scrutiny of Tehran’s response and further strained relations with Washington.

Trump signals economic and military options

President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran over its handling of the protests, stating that the United States was prepared to act if demonstrators were killed. He has said possible US responses range from low-risk to high-risk options, depending on the ultimate objective.

While Trump has previously criticised “regime change” as a foreign policy goal, citing past US involvement in Iraq, he has continued to apply economic pressure on Tehran. On Monday, he announced a 25 per cent tariff on countries that trade with Iran, marking a significant escalation in sanctions-linked measures.

Trump has also spoken about efforts to restore internet access in Iran after authorities imposed shutdowns during the protests.

Limited communication revealed

Despite the sharp public rhetoric, both governments have acknowledged that some level of communication has taken place. These contacts were reportedly coordinated through Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iran and the United States have remained adversaries since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the pro-Western shah. Any major shift in Iran’s political system would have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East, making the current standoff closely watched across the region.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Trump may visit India next year as US envoy calls New Delhi Washington’s most essential partner

The US has described India as its most essential global partner, with ambassador-designate Sergio Gor indicating a possible visit by President Donald Trump next year.

Published

on

trump modi

The United States has said that no country is more essential to its global interests than India, with US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor indicating that President Donald Trump may visit India within the next year or two.

Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor highlighted the close personal rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing their relationship as genuine and resilient even in times of disagreement.

India-US ties anchored at the highest level

Gor said the partnership between India and the United States is rooted not only in shared strategic interests but also in strong leadership-level engagement.

He noted that while differences may arise between the two countries, they are resolved through dialogue, reflecting the maturity of the relationship. According to him, India’s scale and global standing make bilateral cooperation both complex and crucial.

Trade talks to resume from January 12

The ambassador-designate confirmed that the next round of India-US trade negotiations will begin on Tuesday, January 12. Acknowledging the challenges involved, Gor said both sides remain committed to reaching an agreement.

Trade, he said, is a vital pillar of bilateral ties, alongside cooperation in areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education and health.

Trump-Modi friendship described as ‘real’

Gor reiterated that he has personally witnessed the bond between Trump and Modi during international engagements, stressing that the friendship goes beyond diplomacy.

Recalling conversations with the US President, he said Trump often speaks positively about his previous India visit and his relationship with the Indian Prime Minister.

Possible Trump visit to India

Indicating a potential presidential visit, Gor said Trump could travel to India in the next one or two years. He described his own appointment as an effort to elevate the bilateral partnership to a new level, calling the India-US relationship a meeting point of the world’s oldest and largest democracies.

India to join Pax Silica alliance

Gor also announced that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica alliance as a full member next month.

The initiative aims to develop a secure, resilient and innovation-driven global silicon supply chain, reinforcing India’s role in strategic technology partnerships.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Trump says Iran wants talks amid protests, warns US may act before meeting

Donald Trump claims Iran’s leadership wants negotiations amid mass protests, but says the US may take action before any talks are held.

Published

on

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s leadership has reached out to his administration seeking negotiations, even as large-scale anti-government protests continue across the country and Washington signals possible military action.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iranian leaders had contacted him after his recent warnings. “The leaders of Iran called yesterday,” he said, adding that a meeting was being planned. However, he cautioned that the United States “may have to act before a meeting.”

The remarks come amid reports of deaths during protests in several Iranian cities. Trump accused Iran’s rulers of maintaining control through force, saying there were indications that people had been killed who “aren’t supposed to be killed.”

He said the US military was closely monitoring developments and that senior officials were reviewing what he described as “very strong options.” Trump said he was receiving hourly briefings on the situation and that a decision would be made after assessing all factors.

When asked if Iran had crossed a red line, Trump declined to provide operational details, saying he would not disclose how or where the US might act. “We’re gonna make a determination,” he said.

Addressing reports of fatalities among protesters, Trump suggested that some deaths occurred due to crowd stampedes, while others involved gunfire. He did not provide specific figures or details.

Trump also issued a strong warning against any retaliation by Iran or its allied groups. He said any such response would be met with unprecedented force, stating that the US would strike “at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”

The US President said Iran should already be aware of Washington’s resolve, referring to previous American actions against high-profile militant leaders and what he described as the elimination of Iran’s nuclear threat.

Trump did not clarify whether the US had coordinated with allies on a potential response or outline a timeline for further action.

Iran has witnessed repeated waves of unrest in recent weeks, with thousands of people participating in protests against the current regime in cities across the country.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com