US accused of war crimes in Iran strikes, approves F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi advances

The Trump administration has approved a significant arms deal, greenlighting the potential sale of up to 48 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, valued at an estimated $24.3 billion. This decision comes amidst heightened tensions with Iran and Saudi Arabia's ongoing military involvement in the Yemen conflict. The proposed sale, which would mark the first time an Arab nation acquires these fifth-generation stealth aircraft, has been formally submitted to Congress for a mandatory 30-day review.

The move has generated considerable controversy, particularly concerning its potential impact on regional power dynamics. Israel, currently the sole Middle Eastern operator of F-35s, has expressed worries about its long-standing qualitative military edge being eroded. Additionally, US intelligence has raised concerns that sensitive F-35 technology could be compromised and potentially fall into Chinese hands, given Saudi Arabia's existing technological partnerships with Beijing.

Despite these objections, the US State Department asserted that the sale aims to bolster Saudi Arabia's defensive capabilities against current and future threats, improve interoperability with US forces, and maintain regional stability. The approval fulfills a commitment made by President Trump in November 2025 to proceed with the F-35 deliveries as part of a broader defense package.