Chicago – March 09, 2026
The US State Department has approved a $151.8 million emergency sale of 12,000 1,000-pound bomb casings to Israel, invoking emergency authorities to sidestep congressional review.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined an “emergency exists” under the Arms Export Control Act, citing urgent national security needs amid the escalating US-Israel air war against Iran, now in its second week.
The munitions package, including BLU-110A/B bomb bodies from Texas-based Repkon USA, aims to bolster Israel’s defenses against regional threats, with added engineering and logistics support. A State Department official noted an additional $298 million in direct commercial sales for critical munitions like BLU-111 500-pound bombs.
This marks the latest in a series of Trump administration moves bypassing Congress, following January’s $6.5 billion package. Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks criticized the waiver as evidence of poor war preparation, calling it a “self-created emergency.”
The sale enhances Israel’s capabilities during heightened tensions post the joint strikes on Iran, Washington’s largest operation since 2003 Iraq.
