US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

The United States has approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia, the State Department said Thursday, the kingdom's latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war. Saudi Arabia has long sought to buy F-35s, but officials from Israel -- currently the only country in the Middle East to operate the jets -- have voiced concern about their sale to Riyadh despite a push for the kingdom to normalize relations.