US approves expedited $9bn arms transfers to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 2
US approves expedited $9bn arms transfers to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE
12 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 2
Secretary of State Marco Rubio cleared the deals, bypassing standard congressional review to speed deliveries of air defence missiles and laser guidance systems.
The transfers send additional weapons to Middle East partners as concerns grow that the ceasefire in the Iran war could unravel.
The package underscores Washington's effort to reinforce regional security ties and rapidly bolster allied military capabilities during a volatile truce.
How does the US reconcile arming the UAE while investigating its alleged support for militias in Sudan?
With US missile production dependent on China, can America sustain its military support in the Middle East?
Is Iran's low-cost drone and missile strategy creating an unwinnable economic war for the United States?
March 2026 U.S. Emergency Arms Sales: Bolstering Gulf Missile Defenses and Bypassing Congress
Overview
In response to Iran's missile and drone attacks on Gulf states and its closure of the Strait of Hormuz in March 2026, which caused a sharp spike in global energy prices, the U.S. swiftly approved a $9 billion emergency arms transfer to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. To expedite support, the U.S. invoked emergency powers to bypass congressional review, sparking criticism over executive overreach. The arms deliveries enhanced regional missile defenses but also heightened risks of renewed conflict amid a fragile ceasefire. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, excluded from the package, deepened ties with Russia and China, reflecting shifting alliances in a tense and volatile Middle East.