Iran

US Approves Potential Arms Deals for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Is the deal a reckless gamble or a necessary deterrent against Iranian aggression?

Published 2 hours ago

US Approves Potential Arms Deals for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Story

Above: Donald Trump meets Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025. Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Arming Saudi Arabia with $1.96 billion in precision weapons is exactly the right call given the Tehran-backed Houthis are actively firing missiles at Saudi airports and Iran is openly backing terrorist proxies across the region. Saudi Arabia is America's top arms customer and a critical Gulf partner that directly supports U.S. and NATO operations. Strengthening Riyadh's defenses deters Iranian aggression and keeps a volatile region from spiraling further out of control.

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Anti-Trump narrative

Selling $1.96 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia while plunging the Middle East deeper into chaos is a reckless gamble with regional stability. Expanding Riyadh's military capabilities amid escalating confrontation with Iran risks fueling a wider conflict rather than containing it. Instead of easing tensions, the Trump administration is helping create the conditions for a broader regional conflict with potentially devastating consequences that could prove far harder to control.

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