Washington, D.C. – United States President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in Washington’s handling of sophisticated weapons transfers to Arab nations. The announcement comes just one day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to visit the White House, underscoring the administration’s push to strengthen US-Saudi relations.

“We’ll be selling F-35s. They want to buy them. They’ve been a great ally,” Trump told reporters, praising Riyadh’s partnership with the United States.

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Strategic Context and Middle East Implications

The potential sale aligns with Trump’s broader Middle East strategy, which includes encouraging Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords. However, Saudi officials have reiterated their adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative, which links recognition of Israel to the creation of a viable Palestinian state.

The announcement has raised concerns in Israel regarding the preservation of its qualitative military edge (QME)—a cornerstone of American policy ensuring Israel maintains superior military capabilities in the region. Israeli officials, including former deputy army chief Yair Golan, warned that the sale could trigger an arms race in the Middle East and potentially compromise Israel’s long-standing aerial superiority.

“The qualitative military edge, which has been the cornerstone of Israel’s security for many decades, is being squandered,” Golan said.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir emphasized that maintaining Israel’s aerial advantage is critical given the volatile regional security environment.

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Details of the F-35 Sale

• Aircraft Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
• Model: F-35, widely considered the world’s most advanced fighter jet with stealth capabilities.
• Significance: If finalized, Saudi Arabia would become the first Arab nation in the F-35 program, following the US sale to the United Arab Emirates in 2020, which was later canceled after the Biden administration took office in 2021.

The US has historically ensured Israel’s military edge by downgrading weapons sold to other Middle Eastern states or providing Israel with upgraded systems and supplementary equipment. Congress retains the power to block the sale if lawmakers oppose it.

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Timing and Regional Implications

The timing of Trump’s announcement coincides with:

• Prince Mohammed’s upcoming Washington visit.
• Ongoing instability in Gaza, where ceasefire violations by Israel continue nearly daily.
• Heightened US-Saudi diplomatic efforts in the context of regional tensions, including the US’s June strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump’s administration has framed the potential sale as reinforcing the US-Saudi alliance and promoting security in the Gulf region, while navigating the delicate balance of maintaining Israel’s military advantage.