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US approves sale of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia

The Biden administration says the weapons are key to Saudi Arabia's self-defense from Iran-backed drone attacks out of Yemen.
Saudi air force

The Biden administration on Thursday approved a $650 million sale of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles for Saudi Arabia, citing US support for the Gulf kingdom’s self-defense.

The missiles “have been instrumental in intercepting the persistent UAS [drone] attacks that have put US forces at risk and threatened the more than 70,000 US citizens in the kingdom,” according to a State Department spokesperson.

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