US to Resume Offensive Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia

The US will resume sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, a close strategic partner, as it seeks Saudi involvement in resolving the Gaza conflict and countering Iranian threats to Israel. Despite concerns over human rights in the Yemen war, the move comes as the UN-brokered truce in Yemen has largely held.

The Houthis, however, continue to attack commercial ships, prompting US, Britain, and Israel strikes on Houthi targets. Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, had been moving closer to Israel due to shared hostility towards Iran.

The US hopes for Arab support in countering Iranian threats to Israel, and the kingdom potentially normalizing ties with Israel in exchange for security guarantees and a civilian nuclear deal. However, Representative Joaquin Castro has expressed concerns over Saudi Arabia's troubling human rights record.