Defying Congress, Trump Decides To Sell Arms To Saudi Arabia, UAE

Weapons are meant to deter Iranian aggression: Pompeo

- Weapons are meant to deter Iranian aggression: Pompeo

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday bypassed Congress to sell $8.1 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies, citing a threat from Iran, infuriating lawmakers who fear the weapons could kill civilians in Yemen.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration would circumvent the required review by Congress to approve 22 arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, saying that the freeze on sales by Congress could affect the Arab allies’ operational abilities.

The weapons, which include munitions and aircraft support maintenance, are meant “to deter Iranian aggression and build partner self-defence capacity,” Mr. Pompeo said in a statement.