Fri, September 18, 2026
Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): The United States (US) has moved forward with sweeping new weapons agreements for both Israel and Saudi Arabia, approving multibillion-dollar deals at a moment when regional friction with Iran remains intense.
According to the State Department, Washington has authorised the sale of 30 Apache attack helicopters to Israel in a package valued at $3.8 billion.
The approval comes as Israel is holding to a sensitive ceasefire in Gaza after more than two years of fighting with Hamas.
US officials said the transfer supports Israel’s ability to defend itself and reflects Washington’s longstanding security commitments to its ally. A separate $1.8 billion deal for joint light tactical vehicles was also cleared as part of the broader defence cooperation.
The US already provides Israel with billions of dollars in military support annually, much of it structured as assistance rather than traditional arms purchases.
The latest approvals come after a US-backed ceasefire reached in October that largely halted the war in Gaza. Diplomatic efforts are now focused on preserving the truce and addressing the future of Hamas’s armed capacity.
Elsewhere in the region, tensions remain high. The US has bolstered its military presence in waters near Iran, highlighting fears of further escalation.
Iran has also been grappling with mounting internal unrest following widespread protests and a severe crackdown by authorities.
At the same time, Washington signed off on a $9 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia that includes 730 Patriot missile interceptors, designed to defend against incoming aerial threats. Saudi leaders have publicly urged restraint regarding any strike on Iran, with Gulf nations concerned that instability could damage their economic goals and reputations as safe destinations for global business.
The White House has pointed to expanding defence ties with Riyadh. Former President Donald Trump previously announced Saudi Arabia would be designated a “major non-NATO ally,” a label that brings certain military and economic benefits but stops short of formal US security guarantees.
US officials also disclosed plans to supply F-35 fighter jets to the kingdom, though in a version less sophisticated than those flown by Israel, in accordance with American law preserving Israel’s military advantage in the region.
US authorities say the Gaza ceasefire has now entered a second stage, with attention turning toward longer-term security arrangements and preventing a return to large-scale conflict.
Neo News | Copyright © 2026
