Donald Trump has said he will consider requests from families of September 11 victims to declassify records relating to Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the attacks.
The US president said he would examine the matter after returning to Washington, having been asked about it during a weekend visit to Ireland.
“I’m going to look at it when I get back,” Mr Trump said before boarding Air Force One. “I know they asked me Friday.”
The families have long alleged that extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia gained influence within the country’s government and helped the hijackers. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, although the Saudi government has consistently denied involvement in the attacks.
Relatives of those killed have been involved in a lengthy legal battle against the Saudis and are calling for the relevant records to be released.
Terry Strada, whose husband Tom was killed in the attacks, made a direct appeal to Mr Trump during Friday’s remembrance ceremony in New York City.
“Tell the Saudis to stop lying,” she said, accusing previous US presidents of choosing “to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families”.
Ms Strada, who read out victims’ names at this year’s ceremony, also urged the current administration to “stand with the families, stand with the survivors”.
“It has been one betrayal after another,” she said. “President Trump can still change that.”
