US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Saudi Arabian complicity in the murder of dissident journalist, and US resident, Jamal Khashoggi would not affect relations between Washington and the Islamic kingdom.

"We may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Trump said. "The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia."

Trump has been under pressure to sanction Riyadh as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly concluded was involved in Khashoggi's assassination. 

"It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn't," Trump said.

Trump also dedicated the opening paragraphs of his statement to criticizing Iran over its actions in the Middle East and slammed it as "the world's leading sponsor or terror."

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif jibed that Iran might also be responsible "for the California fires, because we didn't help rake the forests — just like the Finns do?"

Mr. Trump bizarrely devotes the FIRST paragraph of his shameful statement on Saudi atrocities to accuse IRAN of every sort of malfeasance he can think of. Perhaps we’re also responsible for the California fires, because we didn’t help rake the forests— just like the Finns do?

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) November 20, 2018

Arms deals under threat

Senator Diane Feinstein, a Democrat lawmaker representing California, said she was "shocked" by Trump's decision to withhold any punishment. Instead, she vowed to "vote against any future arms sales and appropriation to Saudi Arabia."

I’m shocked that President Trump said there will be no punishment for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. https://t.co/WTG14cKHGt

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) November 20, 2018

"Human rights is more than just a phrase, it has to mean something. And that means standing up and condemning a brazen murder by a foreign government," Feinstein said. "Everyone who played a role in this killing must be held accountable."

In his statement, Trump specifically mentioned he would not undermine Saudi defense contracts for US military hardware worth more than $100 billion (€88 billion). Germany, on the other hand, has suspended all arms deals to Saudi Arabia and is set to impose travel bans on 18 Saudi citizens.