Washington has formally notified Congress of its intent to sell Saudi Arabia 48 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets and 49 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines in a transaction valued at $24.3 billion.
- The State Department stated the sale aims to bolster the security of a major non-NATO ally without disrupting the regional military balance.
- This proposed sale faces a 30-day window for Congressional review.
- Concerns persist regarding potential technology risks involving Chinese network access and missile cooperation in the kingdom.
Simultaneously, the Gulf region faced a surge in hostilities. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy reported striking the Togo-flagged tanker Trend in the Strait of Hormuz, citing unauthorized transit. UK Maritime Trade Operations recorded the incident 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. The International Maritime Organization has documented 80 attacks on merchant vessels in the region since February 28, 2026.
In Yemen, Saudi civil defense authorities confirmed the first death on Saudi soil linked to Houthi drone activity: a Yemeni resident killed by debris following an interception over Taif. Houthi forces reported that Saudi F-15 jets conducted airstrikes in Hajjah, while the Houthis claimed to have downed a Saudi F-15 over Marib, a report not confirmed by Riyadh. United Nations agencies estimate 112,000 people have been displaced within Yemen in the past two weeks, with thousands seeking refuge in Djibouti. Saudi Arabia has reportedly requested that China intervene to urge Iranian restraint regarding Houthi operations.
