US approves $17 billion missile sales to Gulf nations as Iran war drains stockpiles

The United States has approved a USD 17 billion missile defense system sale to Gulf nations amid rapidly depleting stockpiles of interceptor weapons due to the ongoing Iran conflict. This move aims to address the shortage of defensive systems faced by US and allied forces in countering Iranian missile and drone attacks. Concerns are growing within the Pentagon regarding potential weakening of US military readiness and strategic planning shifts due to the conflict.