Core Points - President Trump announced the approval of F-35 fighter jet sales to Saudi Arabia, highlighting efforts to deepen U.S.-Saudi relations ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit [1][3] - The sale represents a significant policy shift that could alter the military balance in the Middle East and challenge the U.S. commitment to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge [5] - Israeli officials have expressed opposition to the sale, citing risks of an arms race in the region and the need for Israel to maintain its air superiority [5] - The U.S. Congress may pose challenges to the sale, with some lawmakers cautious about deepening military cooperation with Saudi Arabia [5] - Saudi Arabia has long been interested in acquiring F-35 jets, having submitted a request earlier this year, but previous attempts were blocked due to concerns over Israel's military advantage [6] - The potential sale is intertwined with broader U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including previous attempts by the Biden administration to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel [7]