Mattis to Saudi FM: ‘the Iranians tried to murder you’

US Defence Secretary James “Mad Dog” Mattis made an unanticipated joke whilst meeting Saudi foreign minister yesterday, when he laughed at Iran’s attempt to assassinate him.

Upon greeting the Saudi delegation that arrived in Washington to discuss regional issues, General Mattis looked at Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and said: “Hello, always good to see you alive. The Iranians tried to murder you.”

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Iran tried to assassinate Al-Jubeir in 2011, when he was the Saudi ambassador to the US. Two assassins who were suspected of working in conjunction with the Iranian government planted explosives to target Al-Jubeir while he was in Washington.

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Mattis was quick to express his anger and support for the then Saudi ambassador, whom he regards a friend.

According to a statement from the Pentagon, Mattis met with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman yesterday to discuss bilateral relations and to address the security threat Iran poses in the region.