Trump Administration Bypasses Congress to Approve $16.5 Billion Arms Sale to Three Middle Eastern Countries

On March 19, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that the U.S. State Department announced the approval of a military sales plan worth approximately $16.5 billion to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, which will supply military equipment such as radar and counter-drone systems to these three Middle Eastern countries.

The State Department stated in multiple announcements that these military sales are considered to be in "emergency situations," thus bypassing congressional review requirements. A report by CNN pointed out that the Trump administration expedited arms sales to these Gulf allies while they are "facing retaliation from Iran for U.S. and Israeli military actions."

The State Department said the U.S. will sell the UAE 10 sets of "fixed-site low-altitude, slow-speed, small drone integrated defense systems" and related equipment, valued at approximately $2.1 billion; a long-range identification radar and related equipment for the terminal high altitude area defense system ("THAAD"), valued at approximately $4.5 billion; 400 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment, valued at $1.22 billion; and munitions for F-16 fighter jets valued at $644 million.

At the same time, the U.S. will sell Kuwait low-altitude air defense and missile defense radar valued at approximately $8 billion; and military sales to Jordan valued at approximately $70.5 million, including aircraft maintenance and ammunition support.

Recently, during the interception of Iranian drones and ballistic missiles, the air defense system components and munitions of the U.S. military and its Middle Eastern allies have been heavily depleted, with some radars and other equipment being hit.

On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, which retaliated against targets in Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East, affecting some regional countries. On the 18th, Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian gas fields, and in response, Iran retaliated by striking oil facilities related to Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, raising concerns about an escalation of hostilities.