(JNS) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the U.S. would move forward on a deal with the United Arab Emirates to sell F-35 fighter jets and drones, despite a UAE official’s statement to Reuters on Tuesday, Dec. 14, saying that “The UAE has informed the U.S. that it will suspend discussions to acquire the F-35.”

“We wanted to make sure, for example, that our commitment to Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge is assured, [and] we wanted to make sure that we could do a thorough review of any technologies that are sold or transferred to other partners in the region, including the UAE,” said Blinken, according to the report. The deal includes the purchase of 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 MQ-9B drones and advanced munitions, sources told Reuters earlier this year. A Gulf source had told Reuters that the Americans were putting up obstacles that included specific requirements that made the deal unfeasible. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that security forces will “increase our vigilance and readiness to thwart terror in Judea and Samaria, and will continue to take any measures necessary in facing terror groups in the area.”

Main Photo: The Israeli Air Force and U.S. Air Force hold a joint F-35 drill in southern Israel. Credit: IAF.