US advances $8.6 billion arms sales to Middle East allies while declaring end of Iran hostilities, as Donald Trump balances diplomacy with threat of renewed military action, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The administration of Donald Trump has moved to advance arms sales worth more than $8.6 billion to key Middle Eastern partners, sidestepping the usual congressional review process in a decision that underscores Washington’s evolving security posture in the region.
According to the US State Department, the proposed packages are aimed at Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The deals include advanced precision-guided weapon systems, air and missile defence replenishment services, and integrated battle command technologies designed to enhance interoperability among allied forces.
The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and follows a short but intense period of hostilities between the United States and Iran earlier this year. In a letter to congressional leaders, President Trump declared that the conflict, which began on February 28, had formally ended.
“There has been no exchange of fire between the United States and Iran since April 7, 2026,” Trump said, adding that “the hostilities… have terminated,” as the military campaign reached the 60-day limit mandated under the War Powers Resolution.
The law requires the president to halt military operations within 60 days of notifying Congress unless lawmakers grant authorisation for an extension. The administration’s decision to conclude the operation within this timeframe is widely seen as an attempt to defuse a growing dispute with Congress over executive war powers.
At the same time, Trump signalled that tensions with Tehran remain unresolved. Speaking to reporters before departing aboard Marine One, he expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing diplomatic proposals from Iran, suggesting that negotiations remain fragile and uncertain.
“They want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens,” he said, while keeping open the possibility of renewed military action.
The president also described Iran’s leadership as divided and internally strained, arguing that political fragmentation in Tehran has weakened its negotiating position. He claimed that key institutions were struggling to present a unified stance, complicating efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement.
Trump further asserted that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly degraded during the recent conflict, claiming the country now has limited naval and air power. However, such assessments have not been independently verified.
Despite the hardline rhetoric, the president indicated a preference for diplomacy over escalation. “Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of him… or do we want to try and make a deal? I’d prefer not, on a human basis,” he said, framing the choice as one between negotiation and renewed conflict.
