US to Sell F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that comes just before a White House visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump confirmed the decision as he praised the kingdom's longstanding alliance with Washington. "I will say that we will be doing that," Trump said. "We'll be selling the F-35s."

The announcement aligns with Saudi Arabia's request to purchase up to 48 of the advanced Lockheed Martin aircraft, a deal potentially worth billions of dollars. The proposal had already cleared a significant review by the Pentagon earlier this month, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Saudi Arabia has expressed strong interest in the jets for years, viewing them as a key enhancement to its air force capabilities amid regional tensions.

The sale represents a notable shift in U.S. policy toward arms exports in the Middle East. For decades, American administrations have balanced support for Saudi Arabia with commitments to preserve Israel's qualitative military edge over its neighbors. This commitment, enshrined in U.S. law since 2008,...