U.S. Sells $30B Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

The two countries have solidified their economic and military ties following Iran's repeated outbursts.

The United States made a defiant announcement Thursday following Iran’s threat to shut off the oil supply passing through the straight of Hormuz. The Obama administration says they agreed to sell $30 billion worth of fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, including 84 new F-15 fighter jets. The Congress-approved sale has been in the works for over a year and the United States will begin delivering aircraft in 2015. The country may see economic benefits even sooner, as over 50,000 manufacturing and supplier jobs in the U.S are expected to result from the deal, particularly with manufacturer Boeing Co. in St. Louis.