Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaks during a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic. AP
According to the report, the administration of Donald Trump approved the transfers to Israel and several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The deals include rockets, advanced precision-guided weapon systems and air-defense equipment.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorised the sales under an emergency provision that allows immediate transfers without the standard congressional oversight process. The move marks the third time the administration has used such authority during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The report said Qatar alone is expected to spend more than $4 billion on Patriot missile interceptors, as global stockpiles of the US-made systems have been significantly depleted during the US Israeli war on Iran. Kuwait is also set to acquire an advanced aerial defense system valued at roughly $2.5 billion.
The next step amid heightened regional tensions following months of conflict that began in late February, when US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting US bases and infrastructure across the Gulf, as well as sites in Israel.
Several Gulf countries, particularly the UAE, were heavily impacted, with Emirati officials reporting hundreds of missile and drone attacks during the conflict. The strain on air defences prompted urgent requests from Washington for additional interceptors, according to the report.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect last month, diplomatic efforts to reach a lasting agreement remain deadlocked. Both Washington and Tehran continue to clash over Iran’s nuclear programme, with both sides maintaining what the report described as incompatible red lines.
President Trump has repeatedly threatened further military action, including potential strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure such as power plants if Tehran does not accept US conditions—actions that would likely raise serious legal and humanitarian concerns.
The situation has also escalated in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted Western shipping, while the United States has imposed measures targeting Iranian ports, fuelling volatility in global energy markets.
The accelerated arms sales have drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who accused the administration of sidestepping oversight. Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the move reflected a broader pattern of bypassing Congress on major national security decisions.
The State Department, however, defended the move, saying the transfers serve US national security interests and help regional partners defend against ongoing threats.
The report noted that while the weapons have been approved for sale, delivery timelines remain uncertain due to production constraints, raising concerns within the Pentagon about diminishing US stockpiles amid sustained global demand.
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