US approves $8.6bn in arms sales to Middle East allies
The US has approved $8.6bn in emergency arms sales to Middle East allies, including Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, bypassing congressional review. The sales aim to replenish depleted weapon stockpiles amid ongoing missile and drone attacks from Iran. The move raises concerns about the sustainability of US military supplies in the event of a conflict with a major power like China.
- ▪The US State Department approved $8.6bn in arms sales to Middle East allies under emergency provisions, avoiding congressional approval.
- ▪Sales include precision kill weapon systems, Patriot air defence systems, and battle command systems for Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.
- ▪The heavy use of US munitions in the war on Iran has raised concerns about the adequacy of US military stockpiles for potential conflicts with China.
- ▪A CSIS report stated that current US inventories are insufficient to sustain operations in a future conflict.
- ▪The State Department previously approved $16.5bn in arms sales to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan in March 2026.
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Economy|MilitaryUS approves $8.6bn in arms sales to Middle East alliesUS State Department cites emergency circumstances to fast-track sales without the approval of Congress.ListenListen (3 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoA man walks past a PAC-3 Patriot missile unit deployed for North Korea's rocket launch at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo on January 31, 2016 [Shizuo Kambayashi/AP]By Zsombor PeterPublished On 3 May 20263 May 2026The United States has approved $8.6bn in arms sales to Middle East allies amid the US-Israel war on Iran.The sales come after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited emergency circumstances to fast-track the transfers without prior review by the US Congress.Recommended…
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