Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia is a critical ally that can’t be abandoned even after the “awful” slaying of dissident Jamal Khashoggi by a Saudi strike team.

Pompeo said on Fox News that while the U.S. opposes the “tragic” killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi, there are other, larger issues that can’t be forgotten. That includes Saudi Arabia’s assistance in keeping Iran in check.