What to know

• Word of the potential deal first spread in late 2025, leading many to question whether Saudi Arabia obtaining F-35’s would pose a challenge to Israel’s military advantage in the region.S1
• Amid widening Gulf war US approves billion sale of Fs to Saudi ArabiaS2
• The approval comes a year after President Donald Trump announced Riyadh would be permitted to buy the highly advanced stealth fighters, though lawmakers could still block the sale.S3
• Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.S4
• Deal is a win for Riyadh while it is embroiled in a regional crisis triggered by the Iran warS5
• WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The US Department of Statesaid on Thursday it has approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom is drawn deeper into war in the Middle East.A sale would mark a si...S6
• 48 F-35 fighter jets, 49 engines included in package, according to State Department's notification to CongressS7