What Happened
Middle East Arms Deals Advance Amid Regional Tensions
The US State Department has cleared several major arms deals for Middle East partners, including a $5 billion sale of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits to Saudi Arabia. The deal, which includes 10,000 JDAM kits and associated equipment, is part of a larger effort to support key regional partners amid ongoing conflicts. Other approved sales include a $750 million tank engine deal with Riyadh and a $188 million F-16 sustainment contract with Oman. Iraq has also been cleared to purchase $150 million in Bell 412EPX helicopters. The announcements were made by the State Department, as reported by Breaking Defense.