NEW: Trump admin. cites what it claims is a national security 'emergency' allegedly caused by Iran to bypass Congress and rush arms sales worth billions to Saudi Arabia and other Middle East allies; draws condemnation from lawmakers on both sides of aisle.
The Trump administration on Friday cited a national security"emergency" allegedly caused by Iran to bypass Congress andbillions of dollars to Saudi Arabia and other Middle East allies, in a move that drew condemnation from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The two countries are staunch U.S. allies that support President Donald Trump's policies on Iran and have been waging a war since 2015 in support of the Yemeni government against Houthi rebels backed by Tehran. "Iranian malign activity poses a fundamental threat to the stability of the Middle East and to American security at home and abroad," the memo states."Current threat reporting indicates Iran engages in preparations for further malign activities throughout the Middle East region, including potential targeting of U.S. and allied military forces in the region."
But the secretary of state said the decision to bypass Congress was a “a one-time event” and that the administration would uphold the long-established process for congressional review of proposed arms sales. Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned whether the decision was legal and accused the Trump administration of flouting congressional authority while granting favors to Gulf governments accused of human rights abuses and alleged indiscriminate bombing in Yemen.
But some experts and former officials say the war in Yemen benefits Iran and Al Qaeda-linked militants and that the U.S. needs to use its influence with the Saudis to bring an end to the fighting.
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