Overview
- Trump said he is considering a weapons package that could include F-35s for Riyadh, noting the kingdom wants to buy a large number of jets.
- Israel has told U.S. officials the sale should occur only as part of Saudi normalization with Israel, according to Axios.
- Israeli officials say they would seek safeguards to preserve their qualitative edge, including restrictions on deploying any Saudi F-35s to western bases.
- Pentagon officials and a Defense Intelligence Agency assessment have warned that an F-35 transfer could expose sensitive technology to China through espionage or Saudi ties.
- The prospective deal is being discussed alongside a U.S.–Saudi security arrangement and potential steps toward Israel–Saudi diplomacy at Tuesday’s White House meeting.