The US State Department approved a $16.5 billion arms package for the UAE, Kuwait and Jordan amid rising tensions with Iran. The UAE would receive about $8.4 billion for drones, missiles, radar and F‑16s; Kuwait and Jordan would get roughly $8 billion and $70.5 million respectively for air‑defence and aircraft support. Officials said the sale was authorized under an emergency justification and did not require immediate congressional approval. The moves come as reported strikes and threats around Iranian energy infrastructure have driven up global energy and US pump prices.
US Clears $16.5bn Arms Package For Gulf Allies As Tensions With Iran Rise
The US Department of State has approved a $16.5 billion arms package for three Middle Eastern partners — the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan — citing growing tensions with Iran.
Under the authorization announced on Thursday, roughly $8.4 billion is earmarked for the UAE to procure drones, missiles, radar systems and F‑16 fighter jets. Washington also approved about $8 billion for air- and missile‑defence radar capabilities for Kuwait and $70.5 million for Jordan to support aircraft and munitions.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major defense partner," the State Department said in a statement.
The department said the transaction did not require congressional approval after officials provided a formal emergency justification, citing an immediate need to bolster regional defenses.
Officials linked the timing to sharply rising tensions between the US and Iran. Reports of strikes involving US and allied forces and subsequent Iranian threats to regional energy infrastructure on and after February 28 have raised concerns of a wider regional escalation.
US and allied actions have reportedly targeted Iranian energy infrastructure, including facilities at Kharg Island, while Tehran has threatened attacks on energy assets belonging to Gulf partners. Iran has also restricted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for roughly one‑fifth of global oil shipments.
Energy markets have reacted: the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported average US pump prices rose from about $3.10 per gallon roughly a month earlier to $3.88 per gallon on Thursday.
The State Department named principal contractors for the proposed sales as RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. Despite the announcement, shares of those defence firms traded lower in midday Wall Street sessions.
Separately, the Pentagon is reportedly seeking additional funding to support operations related to the conflict. The Associated Press, citing an unnamed senior White House official, reported the Department of Defense is seeking roughly $200 billion in supplemental appropriations. Any such request would require Congressional approval.
At a press briefing, a senior Defense Department official acknowledged pursuing a significant increase in spending. "Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys," the official was quoted as saying. President Donald Trump defended requests for extra resources, saying the administration is responding to multiple global threats and a volatile security environment.
Analysts say the arms sales and extra funding requests underline Washington's effort to strengthen regional partners, but they also warn the moves could complicate diplomacy and risk further escalation.
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