US approves possible F-35 Saudi deal despite Israeli push to link normalization, sale - analysis

On Thursday, Washington advanced a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 aircraft to Riyadh. The approval was granted despite efforts by Israeli officials to tie the weapons deal to progress on Saudi-Israeli normalization.

The development marks a significant step in U.S. defense relations with Saudi Arabia, moving forward with the multi-billion dollar military package independently of regional diplomatic integration efforts sought by Israel.