Washington (TDI): The United States has approved multibillion-dollar arms sales to both Saudi Arabia and Israel, the State Department announced on Friday, as tensions remain high across the Middle East, particularly with Iran.
According to US officials, Washington has cleared a $3.8 billion deal to supply Israel with 30 Apache attack helicopters. The package also includes a separate $1.8 billion sale of joint light tactical vehicles. The approval comes despite the fragile ceasefire that has largely halted fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
In a statement, the State Department said the sale reflects Washington’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, stressing that helping Israel maintain a strong self-defense capability is in the US national interest.
Although the United States provides Israel with billions of dollars in military assistance each year, most of that support is delivered as aid rather than direct arms sales.
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Elsewhere in the region, the State Department approved a $9 billion weapons package for Saudi Arabia, including 730 Patriot interceptor missiles used to defend against aerial and missile threats.
The approvals come as the US boosts its military presence in waters near Iran, where tensions have escalated following Israel’s bombing campaign last year targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Iran has also been under growing international scrutiny after deadly crackdowns on widespread anti-government protests.
Saudi Arabia has urged caution over any potential military confrontation with Iran, with Gulf states wary of instability that could undermine their efforts to attract investment and position themselves as regional business hubs.
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The Trump administration has said the Gaza ceasefire has entered a second phase, focusing on efforts to disarm Hamas. In November, President Donald Trump designated Saudi Arabia as a “major non-NATO ally,” a status that grants closer military and economic cooperation without formal US security guarantees.
The White House has also confirmed plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom. However, the aircraft will be configured with fewer advanced capabilities than those operated by Israel, in line with US law requiring Washington to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
