FOREIGN AFFAIRS

U.S. Seeks to Punish Iran

Over alleged plot to assassinate Saudi ambassador.

Iran’s foreign minister denied government involvement in an alleged plot by two Iranians to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., calling the charges “a ridiculous show in line with certain [instances of] scenario fabrication of divisive ends on the part of the enemies of Islam and the region.” The U.S., meanwhile, is planning its retaliation, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promising a “very strong message.” She said the U.S. is preparing new sanctions against Iran, while Attorney General Eric Holder condemned Iran for "a flagrant violation of U.S. and international law.” The U.S. also issued a worldwide alert, warning of “a more-aggressive focus by the Iranian government on terrorist activity against diplomats from certain countries, to include possible attacks in the United States.”