Did the United States Deceive Saudi Arabia?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured him in a phone call that even after the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the region will be fully preserved.

According to Rokna, Netanyahu said: “I had an extensive discussion with Secretary of State Rubio regarding the F-35s. He reiterated that the United States is committed to maintaining Israel’s qualitative edge in all areas of arms provision and military systems supplied to Middle Eastern countries, including the issue of the F-35.”

He added that the commitment to preserve this advantage “is guaranteed by U.S. law,” and stated that he preferred not to elaborate further. Earlier, it was reported that the Israeli Air Force had opposed the sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia and warned that the deal could undermine Israel’s aerial superiority in the region.

American sources told Reuters that the fighter jets expected to be delivered to Saudi Arabia will be “less advanced” models.

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