The Biden administration approved a $1 billion arms sale to Qatar in a deal unveiled during halftime of the key 2022 World Cup match in Doha between Iran and the United States
US approves $1 billion arms sale to Qatar during key World Cup matchThe Associated PressWASHINGTON
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration approved a $1 billion arms sale to Qatar on Tuesday in a deal unveiled during halftime of the key 2022 World Cup match in Doha between Iran and the United States.
The State Department announced that it had signed off on Qatar’s purchase of 10 defensive drone systems, 200 interceptors and related equipment just as the second half of the US-Iran game began. Qatar, along with other Gulf Arab states, is facing threats from Iranian-backed proxies in the region.
The department said in a statement that the sale “will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to enhance the security of a friendly country that continues to be a major force in political stability and economic progress in the Middle Orient. “
“It will enhance Qatar’s ability to deal with current and future threats by providing electronic and kinetic defeat capabilities against unmanned aerial systems. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these items and/or services into its military,” the department said.
