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| State Dept stumped over why US criticizes Iran on democracy, but not Saudi Arabia (VIDEO) | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| This could be the most uncomfortable State Department press briefing moment yet. | This could be the most uncomfortable State Department press briefing moment yet. |
| During a press conference about US President Donald Trump’s recent trip to the Middle East, AFP journalist Dave Clark asked a department official why the US criticizes the Iranian elections and its record on democracy, but not Saudi Arabia. | During a press conference about US President Donald Trump’s recent trip to the Middle East, AFP journalist Dave Clark asked a department official why the US criticizes the Iranian elections and its record on democracy, but not Saudi Arabia. |
| READ MORE: $110bn US-Saudi arms deal sent to Congress, seen as way to protect Middle East allies | READ MORE: $110bn US-Saudi arms deal sent to Congress, seen as way to protect Middle East allies |
| "How do you characterize Saudi Arabia’s commitment to democracy, and does the administration believe that democracy is a buffer or a barrier against extremism?" Clark asked. | "How do you characterize Saudi Arabia’s commitment to democracy, and does the administration believe that democracy is a buffer or a barrier against extremism?" Clark asked. |
| Stuart Jones, acting assistant secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, took a full 19-second pause before responding with a brief comment, saying that during this trip, the US made “significant progress with Saudi and GCC partners in both making a strong statement against extremism”. | Stuart Jones, acting assistant secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, took a full 19-second pause before responding with a brief comment, saying that during this trip, the US made “significant progress with Saudi and GCC partners in both making a strong statement against extremism”. |
| “Clearly, one source of extremism, one terrorism threat, is coming from Iran, and that’s coming from a part of the Iranian apparatus that is not at all responsive to its electorate,” Jones added. | “Clearly, one source of extremism, one terrorism threat, is coming from Iran, and that’s coming from a part of the Iranian apparatus that is not at all responsive to its electorate,” Jones added. |