US approves $5 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, pending congressional review

The United States has approved a planned $5 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, where Iranian missile and drone attacks have intensified during the regional conflict. The package includes bombs, guidance systems and other equipment, according to the State Department under Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The sale still requires approval from the US Congress. The State Department said the weapons would improve Saudi Arabia’s air-defense capabilities against current and future regional threats. It also said the deal would support US foreign-policy and national-security goals by strengthening the security of an important non-NATO ally.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly come under attack since the United States and Israel began airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel, several Gulf states and US facilities in the region. The kingdom also faces regular attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has fought alongside the internationally recognized government for years.

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improve Saudi Arabia’s air-defense capabilities against current and future regional threats

The attacks have affected Saudi oil exports. After the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was closed to global trade, Saudi Arabia redirected exports through the Bab al-Mandab strait, where the Houthis have repeatedly threatened attacks.

Saudi Arabia recently agreed to a defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan. The arrangement is intended to deter attacks and treats an armed assault on one of the three countries as an attack on all three, in a structure similar to NATO’s collective-defense principle.

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by strengthening the security of an important non-NATO ally