The United States has approved more than $8.6 billion in military sales to Middle East allies after bypassing the standard congressional review process, according to reporting by Reuters. The move was made under emergency powers invoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the US and Israel continue their war with Iran.
The approved sales include support for Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Reuters reported that the package includes $4.01 billion in Patriot missile defense services and $992.4 million in precision weapons for Qatar, $2.5 billion in an integrated battle command system for Kuwait, $992.4 million in precision weapons for Israel, and $147.6 million in similar systems for the UAE.
The decision allows the administration to move forward without waiting for the usual congressional review period. Such reviews normally give lawmakers time to raise objections, delay a sale, or demand more information before major arms deals are finalized.
The administration says the emergency action is needed because of the security situation in the Middle East. The region remains tense as the Iran conflict continues and US allies seek stronger air defense and precision strike capabilities. Reuters said the war is now in its ninth week, despite a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for more than three weeks.
Major US defense companies are expected to benefit from the deals, including BAE Systems, RTX, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. These companies are involved in producing missile defense systems, precision weapons and command systems included in the approved sales.
The move is likely to draw criticism from lawmakers and human rights groups. US military support for several Middle East allies has long faced scrutiny, especially because of concerns over civilian harm, regional escalation and accountability in conflict zones. Reuters noted that continued US support for Israel remains particularly controversial because of accusations from rights groups and a UN inquiry over its military actions in Gaza.
The latest approval shows that Washington is prioritizing rapid military support for key regional partners, even if that means limiting congressional oversight. For supporters, the sales strengthen allies at a dangerous moment. For critics, the decision raises fresh questions about transparency, accountability and the risks of adding more weapons to an already unstable region.
