US approves $8 billion in arms sales amid stalled Iran peace talks and tensions in the Middle East

Sun, 03 May 2026 01:45:00 +0200

The United States has fast-tracked arms sales totaling over $8 billion to Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, amid stalled negotiations with Iran. The sales include air-defense systems and laser-guided rockets, with emergency measures bypassing congressional approval due to the ongoing regional conflict. Iran submitted a 14-point counterproposal to the US, covering issues like military aggression guarantees, sanctions removal, frozen asset releases, and a new mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump stated he would review the plan but expressed skepticism about its acceptability. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament is expected to pass legislation restricting vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, barring Israeli ships and imposing reparations on vessels from “hostile countries.” The US maintains a naval presence in the region, continuing a blockade of Iranian ports. Tensions have also escalated in Lebanon, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah