WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama spoke Wednesday to Saudi King Abdullah about the alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador in Washington, according to the White House.
"The president and the king agreed that this plot represents a flagrant violation of fundamental international norms, ethics, and law," the White House said in a statement issued by press secretary Jay Carney.
The statement said both leaders underscored a commitment to "pursue a strong and unified international response that holds those responsible accountable for their actions."
Two men, including a member of Iran's Quds Force special foreign actions unit, were charged in federal court in New York this week with conspiring to kill the Saudi diplomat, Adel Al-Jubeir.
Justice Department officials say the men tried to hire a purported member of a Mexican drug cartel to carry out the assassination with a bomb attack while Al-Jubeir dined at his favorite restaurant.
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