A jet sale to counter Iran
The U.S. export of $30B in military goods to the Saudis is meant to keep Tehran in check.
HONOLULU - The sale of $30 billion worth of F-15SA fighter jets to Saudi Arabia has been completed, boosting the military strength of a key U.S. ally in the Middle East to help counter Iran, the Obama administration announced Thursday.
Under the agreement, the United States will send Saudi Arabia 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more. Production of the aircraft, which will be manufactured by Boeing Co., will support 50,000 jobs and have a $3.5 billion annual economic impact in the United States, the White House said.
The sale is part of a larger U.S. effort to realign its military policies in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran in check. The announcement came as U.S. officials weighed a fresh threat from Tehran, which warned this week it could disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf oil transport route, if Washington levies new sanctions targeting Iran's crude exports.
Administration officials said the timing of Thursday's announcement was not tied to the new threat from Tehran. But they did make clear that the fighter-jet sale would help Saudi Arabia counter potential troubles with Iran.
"This sale will send a strong message to countries in the region that the United States is committed to stability in the gulf and broader Middle East," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro. "It will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to deter and defend against external threats to its sovereignty."
The fighter-jet sale is part of a larger 10-year, $60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia that also includes helicopters, an array of missiles, bombs, and delivery systems, and radar warning systems and night-vision goggles. Congress gave the deal the go-ahead about a year ago.
The plan initially raised concerns from pro-Israeli lawmakers, but U.S. officials reassured Congress that Israel's military edge would not be undercut by the sale. There also is broad agreement now among Israel, the Gulf Arab states, and the West that Iran poses a significant and unpredictable threat.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter regional rivals. Tensions between them were further stoked this year after the United States accused Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States in Washington.