TEHRAN – The Iranian vice president has speculated that the U.S. Congress overturning of Obama’s veto on Wednesday of a bill that would allow families of the victims of 9/11 terrorist attacks sue Saudi Arabia may cost Riyadh $700 billion.

The overturning of the bill comes after Obama had threatened to veto any measure against Saudi Arabia in connection with the terrorist attacks in 2001, which came as a blow to the U.S. security and prestige.

“This (the vetoing of the bill) has an important message. It happens while Saudi Arabia is the U.S.’s lackey and doesn’t take even one step without the U.S. permission. However, it is not unlikely that Riyadh loses all $700 billion it has invested in the country,” said Ali Akbar Salehi on Sunday.

The overwhelming bipartisan vote in both the Senate and House inflicted the first veto override of Obama’s presidency, less than four months before he leaves office. The White House issued an unusually scathing response, according to the Guardian.

While Saudi Arabia has objected strongly to veto and has categorically rejected any role in the 9/11 attacks, fifteen of the 19 plane hijackers were Saudi nationals.

AK/PA