<div id="readability-page-1"><p>WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was approving military sales worth a total of over $8.6 billion to Middle Eastern allies Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.</p> <p>The announcement comes as the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran marked nine weeks since its start and more than three weeks since a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war came into effect.</p>  <p>(Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Ryan Patrick Jones and Christian Martinez)</p></div>

<p>The U.S. State Department has approved military sales exceeding $8.6 billion to Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Key sales include $4.01 billion for Patriot defense systems to Qatar, $2.5 billion for a battle command system to Kuwait, and various sales of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems. Major contractors involved include BAE Systems, RTX, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.</p>

Fidelity

Northrop Grumman

Lockheed Martin

BAE Systems plc

Leverage Shares 2X Long RTX Daily ETF

WisdomTree Global Defense Fund

Direxion Daily LMT Bull 2X ETF

Global X Defense Tech ETF

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Def

Pacer Solactive Whitney Fut of Wrfr ETF

Direxion Aerospace & Def Bull 3X

ISHRS Aero & Def

Invesco Aero & Defense ETF

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF

First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF

US approves military sales of over $8.6 billion to Middle East allies