US Approves $1.96B Precision Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Iran Conflict

The United States has approved a proposed weapons sale worth nearly $2 billion** to Saudi Arabia, a move aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s air defence capabilities amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. The US State Department announced on July 15, 2026, that it had authorised the possible sale of military equipment valued at approximately **$1.96 billion, including up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS-II) and related support equipment . The announcement comes as security concerns continue to mount in the region, with renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran and escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels . According to the State Department, the proposed sale is intended to improve Saudi Arabia’s ability to counter current and emerging threats, enhance the security of its territory, and increase military interoperability with the United States and allied forces .

The proposed package includes 10,000 air-to-air guidance sections and 10,000 air-to-ground guidance sections for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II . The equipment also includes LAU-131 rocket launchers, Mk-152 high-explosive warheads, Mk66 rocket motors, proximity fuzes, practice warheads, spare and repair parts, technical documentation, training equipment, and logistics support services . The APKWS-II is not a missile in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a laser-guidance kit, built by BAE Systems, that converts standard 70mm Hydra unguided rockets into precision-guided weapons . This conversion matters because it takes a rocket that would otherwise fly in a straight, unguided line and gives it accuracy rivaling far more expensive missiles, all while keeping the unit cost somewhere between $15,000 and $22,000 . By comparison, a single AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile costs approximately $1 million**, while an AIM-9X Sidewinder costs about **$450,000 . The affordability of APKWS-II has turned it into the US military’s weapon of choice for a very specific and increasingly common problem: shooting down cheap, one-way attack drones and low-end cruise missiles without burning through interceptors that cost fifty or a hundred times more than the target they are destroying . According to BAE Systems, the APKWS-II has a maximum effective range of approximately 6.5 kilometres when fired from helicopters and up to 14 kilometres from fixed-wing aircraft, achieving an accuracy of roughly two metres from the designated target . Saudi Arabia is expected to deploy the system on its AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and F-15SA fighter jets .

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The approval comes amid escalating military exchanges across the Middle East. The Iran war began in February 2026 following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, and senior military leadership . Iran responded with sustained waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and one-way attack drones targeting Israel as well as military infrastructure across the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia . The arms sale also follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. On July 13, 2026, the Houthis launched missiles at Abha International Airport in southern Saudi Arabia after the Yemeni government struck Sanaa airport in an attempt to divert a flight carrying a Houthi delegation returning from the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader . The Houthis blamed Riyadh for the attack, raising fears of renewed conflict . Just two days before the arms approval, Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia toward the kingdom’s southern regions . The kingdom has spent years fighting Houthi rebels across its southern border, absorbing repeated drone and missile attacks aimed at its territory . This latest request builds directly on a much smaller purchase Saudi Arabia made in March 2025, when the State Department approved a $100 million sale covering 2,000 APKWS-II guidance kits . The jump from 2,000 units to a potential 20,000 signals Saudi Arabia is moving from testing the system in limited numbers toward building a large, sustained stockpile meant to last through years of continued regional tension .

The State Department stated that the proposed sale would “support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region” . Officials emphasised that the transaction would enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter current and future threats while improving interoperability with US, regional, and NATO forces . The principal contractor for the deal is BAE Systems, based in Nashua, New Hampshire . Implementation will require the assignment of 15 additional US government and 15 US contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia for an extended period to support program and technical reviews, training, and maintenance support . The proposed sale has been forwarded to the US Congress for review, a mandatory step before the transaction can be finalised . Congress has the authority to object to such sales, although major defence deals involving longstanding US allies are often approved. As of July 16, 2026, no congressional leaders or committees have filed formal objections or joint resolutions of disapproval . The State Department noted that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” .

In a separate move, the State Department also authorised a $484 million Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for C-17 Sustainment and related equipment . The Kuwait package includes aircraft components, parts and accessories, modification and support equipment, spare and repair parts, ground handling equipment, communications equipment, software support, technical documentation, training, and logistics services . The State Department said Kuwait’s C-17 fleet “directly support[s] US and coalition operations around the world,” underscoring the aircraft’s role in Washington’s military operations .

US Approves $1.96B Precision Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Iran Conflict

Trump unveils plan for US control of Strait of Hormuz, seeks payment for security

US President Donald Trump has announced plans for the United States to assume control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, declaring that Washington should be compensated for protecting one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

Speaking during a telephone interview with Fox News’ Fox & Friends, Trump said the US would become the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz and ensure that the critical shipping lane remains open for international commerce.

“We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it. We’ll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we’ll call it the guardian angel of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that,” Trump said.

The US president argued that countries benefiting from the security of the waterway should contribute financially to its protection.

“We’re going to guard it. We’re going to get paid for guarding it—a lot of money. We’re going to be reimbursed because the other nations are very wealthy. They’re on our side, and we can’t be expected to do that for nothing,” he added.

Trump later expanded on the proposal, suggesting that commercial cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be subject to a 20 per cent transit charge to offset the cost of US security operations in the region.

His remarks came amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and Tehran, following renewed military exchanges that have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.

Iran recently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing security concerns after a series of missile and drone strikes involving Iranian and US forces.

Tehran said commercial shipping through the strategic waterway would remain suspended until what it described as the restoration of “stability and calm.”

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Trump accused Iran of reneging on previous agreements designed to keep the waterway open for international navigation.

“We had a deal. It was a done deal, and then they broke it. They always break it. We’ve had 10 deals with these people, and so we’re just going to hit them very hard,” he said.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) insisted that the only way to restore normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is for the United States to halt its military operations in the Gulf.

The Iranian military warned that continued US intervention could further destabilise the region and disrupt global oil and gas supplies.

The latest confrontation follows several days of missile and drone attacks between the two countries, with Iran claiming responsibility for strikes on US military installations in the Gulf, while Washington launched retaliatory attacks on Iranian military targets.

The renewed hostilities have effectively undermined a temporary understanding reportedly reached between the two countries last month to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce military tensions while diplomatic negotiations continued.

The Strait of Hormuz is regarded as one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

An estimated 20 per cent of global seaborne crude oil and a substantial share of the world’s liquefied natural gas exports pass through the narrow waterway every day, making it indispensable to global energy markets.

Major oil-exporting countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, rely heavily on the route to transport crude oil and natural gas to international markets.

The renewed tensions have already sent global oil prices higher as investors worry that prolonged disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could tighten energy supplies, increase transportation costs and fuel inflation worldwide.

Trump’s proposal has also generated international legal debate, with maritime law experts questioning whether any nation can unilaterally assume control of or impose transit charges on an international waterway governed by international maritime law.

Diplomatic observers warn that any attempt to enforce such a policy could further complicate already fragile relations in the Middle East and heighten geopolitical risks in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

Governments, energy companies and international shipping operators are expected to closely monitor developments as the security situation in the Gulf continues to evolve.

Trump unveils plan for US control of Strait of Hormuz, seeks payment for security

Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh

At least 51 people have lost their lives and more than one million people have been affected after days of relentless monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides battered Bangladesh, leaving thousands homeless and forcing mass evacuations across several parts of the country.

The devastating floods have submerged communities in multiple districts, including the capital Dhaka, where flooded streets, traffic congestion and overwhelmed drainage systems have disrupted economic activities and daily life.

According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, thousands of families have been displaced, with many taking refuge in government shelters as emergency responders continue rescue and relief operations.

Officials said the death toll could still rise as search-and-rescue teams continue to reach isolated communities cut off by floodwaters and damaged infrastructure.

The worst-hit area is Cox’s Bazar, where 28 of the 51 fatalities have been recorded. The southeastern district is home to more than one million Rohingya refugees, making it the world’s largest refugee settlement.

The severe weather has significantly worsened conditions in the refugee camps, where landslides and flooding have damaged shelters, blocked access roads and disrupted the delivery of food, clean water and medical supplies.

Last week, the disaster claimed the lives of several students and a teacher after floodwaters swept through their school in Cox’s Bazar, underscoring the growing dangers posed by the heavy rains.

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Before the flooding intensified, Bangladesh’s disaster management authorities had issued warnings about possible floods and landslides, prompting the evacuation of residents living in vulnerable communities.

Educational authorities also postponed public examinations in several districts to safeguard students and school personnel as the weather deteriorated.

In Dhaka, residents reported widespread flooding, with water rising to knee level in several neighbourhoods and causing severe traffic disruptions.

The flooding has also renewed concerns over the capital’s drainage infrastructure, with local media questioning the effectiveness of previous government investments aimed at improving flood management in the rapidly growing city.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), water levels in several rivers remain above danger levels, although conditions in parts of southeastern Bangladesh are expected to improve gradually.

However, forecasters warned that continuing monsoon rainfall across the northeastern and northern regions could trigger additional flooding in the coming days, increasing the risk to already affected communities.

Emergency responders, including the Bangladesh Army, Fire Service and Civil Defence, police personnel and volunteers, have been deployed to rescue stranded residents, evacuate vulnerable families and distribute food, clean drinking water, medicines and other relief materials.

Authorities said numerous roads, bridges and embankments have been damaged, making access to several flood-hit communities difficult and slowing humanitarian operations.

Health officials have also raised concerns over the growing risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid, due to contaminated water supplies and overcrowded temporary shelters.

The government has urged residents living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant, monitor official weather advisories and comply with evacuation orders where necessary.

Bangladesh experiences seasonal flooding during its annual monsoon season, but climate experts say the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased due to climate change, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.

As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Bangladesh continues to face recurring floods, cyclones and river erosion that threaten millions of lives and livelihoods every year.

International humanitarian organisations, including United Nations agencies and aid groups working in the Rohingya refugee camps, are supporting relief efforts by providing emergency assistance to affected families.

Authorities said damage assessments are ongoing as rescue workers continue searching for missing persons and delivering humanitarian aid to flood-affected communities across the country.

Heavy rains, flash floods kill 51 as over one million affected in Bangladesh