Tel Aviv Sets Conditions for Selling F-35 Fighters to Saudi Arabia

According to the English section of webangah News‌ Agency,citing Mehr ‌News Agency and Maan,Israel’s Channel 12 reported that tel Aviv has agreed to the sale of American F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia on the condition ​that⁤ Riyadh fully normalizes its relations⁢ with⁣ Israel.

A senior Israeli official reportedly told Channel⁢ 12 that Tel Aviv has ⁤informed the Trump⁢ governance that selling these fighters to Saudi Arabia​ must be contingent ‌on⁢ full normalization; otherwise, it would‌ harm Israeli interests.

The report also indicated ⁤that Israel‍ will likely oppose⁢ deploying these fighters at Western bases ⁣within Saudi territory.

A few ⁢days ago, Reuters revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense had approved an advanced stage of a potential deal to sell 48 stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

according to American sources, Saudi Arabia made the request directly to then-President Donald ⁣Trump earlier⁤ this year. after lengthy consideration,⁢ the Pentagon​ completed its technical assessment and⁢ submitted it for approval by both the government and ⁢Congress.

even‍ though no final ​decision has been made ⁤yet, progress reportedly has been achieved ahead of Crown Prince ‌Mohammed bin Salman’s visit ⁣to Washington.

arab states have long been among America’s largest arms buyers⁣ but were⁢ consistently barred from accessing advanced military technology due to ​Israeli objections aimed at⁣ preserving regional deterrence balances. Against this backdrop-and given Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit primarily focuses on advancing ‌normalization with Israel-political analysts conclude Washington ⁢may be using this arms deal as ⁤leverage to draw Riyadh into formal relations with Tel Aviv.