U.S. Arms Deals, Israeli Coalition Tensions, and Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions


U.S. Arms Deals, Israeli Coalition Tensions, and Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions

U.S. Seeks Congressional Approval for $1 Billion in Weapons Sales to Israel

The Trump administration has officially requested Congress’s approval for an arms sale to Israel worth around $1 billion, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Monday. U.S. officials revealed that the deal includes $700 million in 4,700 general-purpose 1,000-pound bombs, as well as over $300 million worth of armored Caterpillar D9 bulldozers.

The bomb shipment consists of 4,500 BLU-110 and 200 Mk-83 units. Meanwhile, the armored bulldozers—used primarily to protect soldiers and clear explosive threats—have sparked controversy among progressive lawmakers in the U.S. due to their historical use by Israel in demolishing the homes of terrorist suspects.

This sale would be funded through the $3.3 billion in annual military aid provided by the United States to Israel. The request coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump and key congressional figures.

Additionally, Netanyahu and his delegation plan to push for the approval of a separate arms package—an $8 billion deal initially proposed during the Biden administration. However, some Democratic lawmakers have placed a temporary hold on that deal, citing concerns about Israeli military actions.

Trump recently lifted a hold placed by the Biden administration on a batch of 2,000-pound bombs destined for Israel, confirming that they were released after prolonged delays. Netanyahu publicly praised the decision, emphasizing that the weapons are critical for Israel’s security and regional stability. The delays in arms delivery had previously been a point of tension between the two nations, with Netanyahu openly criticizing the Biden administration for withholding the shipments.
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Israeli Coalition Could Collapse If Gaza Conflict Ends Too Early

Israel’s Settlements and National Missions Minister Orit Strook issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him not to agree to an early end to the conflict with Hamas. Speaking during negotiations over the second phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Strook emphasized that prematurely halting military operations could turn Israel into a target for hostile forces across the region.

Strook’s Religious Zionism Party agreed to remain in the government under the condition that Israel would return to military action if Hamas’s control of Gaza was not completely dismantled within the 42-day timeline set by the ceasefire agreement.

In an interview with Army Radio, Strook warned that any agreement perceived as a concession to Hamas could lead to a collapse of the current coalition. Her comments came ahead of a meeting between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, where the ceasefire’s next stages were on the agenda.

As outlined in the January 19 agreement, Israel and Hamas are currently negotiating Gaza’s future governance and a potential transfer of power away from the terrorist organization. The discussions are being mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, with the possibility of resuming hostilities if the talks break down.

Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich noted that both Trump and former President Joe Biden had provided written assurances allowing Israel to return to military operations after 42 days if negotiations failed. Smotrich stressed that the party’s primary condition is the removal of Hamas from power—any failure to achieve this goal could reignite the conflict.

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Iran Reportedly Aiming to Build Basic Nuclear Weapon Quickly

Iran is reportedly seeking to develop a basic nuclear device in a bid to deter potential attacks, according to information from U.S. officials cited by The New York Times. The assessment stems from intelligence gathered during the final months of the Biden administration and passed on to President Trump’s team during the transition.

Rather than focusing on sophisticated designs, Tehran is believed to be pursuing a simpler, older-style nuclear weapon that could be constructed far faster than more advanced models. The blueprints for this design likely came from Pakistani nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan, the report states.

Although such a weapon would not be compatible with Iran’s ballistic missiles and might be less reliable than modern warheads, its swift production would provide a deterrent. Iran’s decision to accelerate its nuclear efforts is attributed to Israel’s October 2024 strikes on key strategic sites, including air defense and nuclear facilities, which left Tehran feeling exposed.

Currently, Iran continues to enrich uranium to 60% purity and possesses enough material to build four to five nuclear weapons. Reaching 90% enrichment, or weapons-grade level, could take just a few days, although experts estimate that assembling a fully operational warhead would require 12 to 18 months.

Both the United States and Israel have warned that military action remains a strong possibility should Iran cross the 90% enrichment threshold.

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