$8.6 billion in arms sales approved for Middle East allies
The U.S. State Department approved over $8 billion in arms sales to Middle East allies amid ongoing conflict with Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited an emergency to bypass congressional review, asserting the sales serve U.S. national security interests. The moves come as peace efforts stall and Iran faces economic turmoil due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
- ▪The arms sales include $2.1 billion for Israel, Qatar, and the UAE for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems.
- ▪Kuwait acquired an Integrated Battle Command System for $2.5 billion, and Qatar resupplied its Patriot missile capacity for $4.01 billion.
- ▪Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked an emergency to waive congressional review under the Arms Export Control Act.
- ▪President Donald Trump declared hostilities with Iran 'terminated' while rejecting a peace proposal from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.
- ▪Iran's economy is suffering due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with the rial at an all-time low and rising unemployment and inflation.
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The State Department announced on Friday that over $8 billion in arms sales have been approved for Middle East allies engaged in the Iran war. Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait purchased various military equipment to bolster their defense systems as the conflict stretched into its ninth week. Recommended Stories Iran war is ‘us taking out the trash’: Tiana Lowe Doescher CNN’s Scott Jennings tells panelist to ‘get your f***ing hand out of my face’ during heated debate GOP warns Trump over war powers deadline amid Iran standstill The announcement was released the same day that President Donald Trump sent a letter to Congress saying that hostilities with Iran had been ‘terminated’ amid a pending 60-day War Powers Act deadline. The global conflict started on February 28.
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