U.S. Approves $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East, Bypassing Congress

The United States has approved arms sales worth $8.6 billion to its Middle Eastern allies, bypassing congressional review requirements. The approved deals include Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

According to a report by Reuters on Friday (May 1), the U.S. State Department confirmed that the administration of Donald Trump authorized the sale of military equipment to regional partners.

The decision comes nine weeks after the start of U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran and more than three weeks into a fragile ceasefire currently in place. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move was justified under emergency circumstances, allowing the administration to waive the usual congressional review process to expedite the sales.

Under the agreements, Qatar is set to receive $4.01 billion in maintenance services for Patriot air and missile defense systems, along with $992.4 million worth of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS). Kuwait will receive $2.5 billion in integrated air and missile defense systems. Israel and the United Arab Emirates are also approved to receive APKWS packages valued at $992.4 million and $147.6 million, respectively.

The report noted that BAE Systems will serve as the principal contractor for APKWS deliveries to Qatar, Israel, and the UAE. Meanwhile, RTX Corporation and Lockheed Martin will lead contracts related to Kuwait’s defense systems and Qatar’s Patriot maintenance services. Northrop Grumman is also involved as a key contractor in Kuwait’s deal.

The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting Israel and countries hosting U.S. military bases in the Gulf region. The escalation, along with Israeli operations in Lebanon, has reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.

Washington has long faced criticism over its military ties with Gulf nations such as Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Human rights groups allege restrictions and abuses against minorities, journalists, dissidents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and migrant workers in these countries. However, the governments involved have denied such allegations.

U.S. support for Israel has also drawn international criticism, particularly over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths, severe food shortages, and allegations of genocide in some academic studies and a United Nations investigation.

Israel maintains that its actions are in self-defense following a Hamas-led attack in October 2023 that killed approximately 1,200 people, while the United States continues to reaffirm its support for its allies in the region.