Faisal Salisu DambattaThe United States on Friday approved multibillion-dollar weapons sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia amid heightened tensions with Iran.
The State Department authorized a $3.8-billion sale of 30 Apache attack helicopters to Israel, which recently agreed to a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the department said in a statement. “This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.”
The package also included a $1.8-billion sale of joint light tactical vehicles. While most U.S. military support for Israel comes in the form of aid rather than direct sales, the new agreement underscores America’s continued backing.
Israel and Hamas reached a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October, temporarily halting a two-year-long conflict.
Tensions remain high in the region as the United States deploys a major military contingent near Iranian waters.
Separately, the State Department approved a $9-billion sale of 730 Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia, designed to intercept incoming attacks.
Last year, Israel conducted an extensive bombing campaign against Iran’s nuclear and military sites. Meanwhile, Iran has faced mounting internal unrest following major protests, which the regime responded to with lethal force.
Saudi Arabia, while opposed to Iran, has urged caution regarding any military strike, fearing regional instability that could harm its role as a business hub. The kingdom has considered historic normalization with Israel, but prospects appear distant amid Israel’s military actions in the Palestinian territories.
The Trump administration has described the Gaza ceasefire as entering its second phase, focusing on disarming Hamas.
Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,221 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally that includes hostages killed during captivity in Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since killed at least 71,667 Palestinians in the coastal territory, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
