A U.S. military Patriot PAC-3 missile launcher [UPI Yonhap News]

The United States is pursuing large-scale arms sales to Middle Eastern countries targeted by Iranian retaliation.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 19th (local time) that arms sales worth a total of $23 billion (approximately 34 trillion won) are being processed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Jordan.

According to the Department of State, the UAE will be supplied with air defense systems, bombs, and radar, while Kuwait will receive air defense equipment worth approximately $8 billion (about 11.9 trillion won).

A sale of aircraft and ammunition support equipment worth $70.5 million (approximately 100 billion won) has also been approved for Jordan.

In addition, the Trump administration has reportedly approved the sale of Patriot PAC-3 missiles worth $5.6 billion (approximately 8.3 trillion won) and Chinook helicopters worth $1.32 billion (approximately 2 trillion won) to the UAE, in addition to publicly disclosed deals.

The Predator XP, an export version of General Atomics' MQ-1 Predator drone, has also received export approval.

The Trump administration is known to be pursuing these arms sales to support Middle Eastern allies responding to threats from Iran.

In particular, the Trump administration has decided to apply an "emergency provision" under the Arms Export Control Act to some transactions involving the UAE.

This decision is intended to expedite arms sales by bypassing the usual congressional review process.

The Department of State explained, "These arms sales will enhance the UAE's ability to respond to threats."