Saudi energy minister: ‘No intention’ of 1973-style oil embargo

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said Monday that the country has “no intention” of implementing an oil embargo against western countries as the Saudis face international pressure over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Reuters reported that Khalid al-Falih told Russian news agency TASS that Saudi Arabia would keep its oil policy separate from politics in the Khashoggi incident.

“This incident will pass,” Falih said, according to Reuters.

{mosads}”My role as the energy minister is to implement my government’s constructive and responsible role and stabilizing the world’s energy markets accordingly, contributing to global economic development,” Falih added.

The Saudis announced on Friday that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and outspoken critic of Saudi leadership, was killed in what was described as a physical altercation gone wrong. The kingdom detained 18 people in connection with the incident.

U.S. lawmakers balked at the explanation, saying it is not credible, given the changing accounts from the Saudis about what happened to Khashoggi.

Numerous U.S. senators have vowed Saudi Arabia will face consequences for Khashoggi’s death. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Sunday he believes western countries should implement a collective response.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), meanwhile, on Sunday called for the U.S. to ban oil imports from Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest exporter of oil, in response to Khashoggi’s death.

President Trump has been more amenable to Saudi explanations of what took place, calling the arrests a “good first step” and deeming the claim that Khashoggi died after a fistfight credible. He has pledged those responsible for the journalist’s death will face “severe” punishment, though he has been reluctant to touch U.S.-Saudi weapons deals as part of any response.