Biden admin. approves multibillion weapons deal for Saudi, UAE

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Oct 2024 11:53
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The US State Department informs Congress of the approval of a $2.2 billion weapons deal with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden to Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

The Biden Administration approved the sale of billions of dollars worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of its key allies, in an attempt to push back against the Axis of Resistance in the region.

The State Department informed Congress that it has approved the sale of Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles, as well as artillery, tank, and machine gun ammunition to Saudi Arabia, with the deal exceeding $1 billion.

In August, President Joe Biden removed restrictions on offensive weapon sales to Saudi Arabia. Since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, the Yemeni Armed Forces have intensified their attacks on Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea.

The State Department also informed lawmakers about its approval of a potential sale of GMLRS guided-rocket systems, long-range ATACMS missiles, and associated training and support to the United Arab Emirates, with a deal valued at up to $1.2 billion.

If Congress does not act to block the sales, contractors and recipient countries can start negotiating contracts, which may not reach the maximum values approved. RTX Corp. manufactures the Sidewinder missile, while all the other weapons are produced by Lockheed Martin Corp.

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This comes at a time when Gulf states, including KSA and UAE, are urging Washington to prevent "Israel" from bombing Iran's oil assets, three Gulf sources told Reuters.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are refusing to allow "Israel" to fly over their airspace for any attack on Iran and have informed Washington of this, according to three government sources.

During discussions this week, Iran warned Saudi Arabia that if "Israel" was given any aid in carrying out an assault, the Kingdom's oil infrastructure would be at risk, according to a senior Iranian official and an Iranian diplomat.

Ali Shihabi, a Saudi expert close to the Saudi royal court, divulged that "the Iranians have stated: 'If the Gulf states open up their airspace to Israel, that would be an act of war.'"

According to the diplomat, Tehran has delivered a clear warning to Riyadh that its allies in Iraq and Yemen may retaliate if "Israel" receives regional backing against Iran.