The US Department of State approved significant military sales packages to Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates on Friday.
Officials authorized possible sale of Patriot air and missile defense replenishment services and equipment to Qatar worth 4.01 billion dollars.
Separately, Washington approved Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) sales package to Qatar, valued at 992 million dollars under defence agreement.
Another package included APKWS-related systems for the United Arab Emirates valued at 147.6 million dollars approval package under the same announcement.
Kuwait was also cleared for the Integrated Battle Command System deal estimated at 2.5 billion dollars under US approval process.
These approvals come amid heightened regional tensions following US and Israeli strikes against Iran beginning February 28 reports indicate escalation.
Iran’s subsequent retaliation reportedly targeted US allies across the Gulf, escalating security concerns in the region and growing regional tensions.
Escalation also led to disruptions and the temporary closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route briefly corridor operations.
Washington has increasingly expanded defence cooperation with Gulf partners as instability spreads across Middle Eastern waters and regional maritime security.