Rubio Approves $25.8 Billion in Weapons Push for Mideast Nations

Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the sale of hundreds of prized air-defense interceptors and other weapons to Middle East partners in deals worth $25.8 billion, three times the amount disclosed when the administration announced the agreements last week.

Rubio made an emergency approval for the sales on May 1 to Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, according to a State Department spokesperson. A congressional aide, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, confirmed lawmakers had been notified of the department’s action.

The administration announced late last week that it had approved expedited sales of ...