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October 12, 2011 – After being briefed today by senior U.S. intelligence and security officials, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson said that the attempt to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States was a “sinister, serious and real” plot linked to Iranian officials, and that he hopes other nations will back sanctions to stop Iran’s support of terrorism.
“This bizarre plot linked to Iran was a brazen attempt to commit terrorism on U.S. soil,” Senator Nelson said. “The plot was sinister, serious and real. My concerns are twofold: I remain concerned about the welfare of Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir, and about the safety of those working in and conducting business in Israeli embassies, which also were a target.”
Nelson, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made his comments after a top secret briefing for senators by U.S. security and intelligence officials on the assassination plot and related issues. By law, he cannot discuss details shared in the briefing, but can discuss his views about the information.
“The information is clearly eye-opening and cause for action by the U.S. and other countries to try to rein in Iran’s efforts to export terrorism,” Nelson said. “My hope is that other countries which have sat on the sidelines while the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran, will now join together as we all see more clearly the dangers of dealing with the terrorist state of Iran.
“I applaud our security and intelligence community for intercepting and stopping what could have caused much suffering, many casualties and a significant international event,” Nelson added. “Their hard work shielded many people from acts of terrorism here at home that would have had far-reaching consequences.”
Before this incident, Nelson had met and socialized a number times with Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir. Nelson spoke with the ambassador today and told him he was deeply concerned about the attempt on his life.
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