The U.S. intelligence further based its assessment on the crown princeâs control of decision making, the direct involvement of one of his key advisers, and his own protective detail. The report further read, âSince 2017, the Crown Prince has had absolute control of the Kingdomâs security and intelligence organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Princeâs authorization.â
In 2019, Prince Muhammed bin Salman said he took âfull responsibilityâ for the killing since it happened on his watch but maintained that he did not order it. Saudi officials have said that Khashoggiâs killing was the work of rogue Saudi security and intelligence officials. As per Reuters, Riyadh has denied any involvement by the crown prince.