Washington’s security assurances for Mideast allies in the wake of the nuclear deal struck with Iran last week won’t come in the form of a military handout, US officials said.
The US has reportedly offered to hand out military aid to Israel, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies to offset an accord struck with Iran last week opposed by those countries.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who was set to arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport Sunday as part of a tour of American allies in the Middle East, is expected to reassure Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel of Washington’s commitment to their self-defense.
Contrary to rumors, such commitments would not take the form of offensive military weaponry, according to a Saturday report in Defense News.
“There seems to be some conflation between the Iran nuclear deal and the expectation to fix all the bad things Iran does that we and our partners don’t like,” a US official told the news outlet. “Obviously those issues will continue to be a key subject of conversation, but there’s not going to be a swag bag of military hardware as a result of this deal.” (READ MORE)
