US Approves Over $15 Billion in Arms Sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions

A US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter flies past during the joint multinational exercise Garuda Shield 2025 at the Baturaja combat training center in Lampung, Indonesia, on Sept. 3, 2025. Perdiansyah/AFP via Getty ImagesThe United States has approved major arms sales to Israel worth $6.67 billion and to Saudi Arabia valued at $9 billion, bolstering defenses for key allies as tensions with Iran persist and a fragile cease-fire holds in Gaza.The State Department announced the approvals late Friday after notifying Congress earlier that day. The packages aim to enhance security in the Middle East, where the Trump administration is pushing for Gaza reconstruction following a two-year war that killed tens of thousands.