The CIA believes that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to US media reports.
Sources close to the agency said it had assessed the evidence in detail.
It is understood there is no “smoking gun” but US officials think such an operation would need the prince’s approval.
Saudi Arabia has called the claim false and insisted that the crown prince knew nothing about plans for the killing.
It says Khashoggi was killed as a result of a “rogue operation”.
Meanwhile, US Vice-President Mike Pence vowed on Saturday to hold Khashoggi’s killers to account. Read more