The proposed F-35 sale comes as Saudi Arabia faces intensifying missile and drone attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

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The Wall Street Journal reported that increased military assistance and front-line guidance from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps helped Yemen's Houthi rebels take control of Yemen's Red Sea coast.

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper cited reports that Iran-aligned regional proxy groups are withholding salaries from their own fighters to funnel funds back to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that Iran-backed militias, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iraqi groups, are redirecting money back to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after nine months of war.

Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July 2026, conducting strikes against Saudi oil tankers, energy infrastructure, and airports.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Chief Adm. Ali Ozmai warned in October 2026 that any vessels turning off tracking systems while transiting the Strait of Hormuz would be considered hostile.

Plaintiff Jeremy Linton was managing several dozen Iranian counterintelligence cases and was denied the opportunity to convey received intelligence to colleagues prior to his termination

Ongoing military conflict with Iran and tariffs against Canada have contributed to inflation and rising gas prices, prompting some Republican lawmakers to distance themselves from Donald Trump

Donald Trump stated on October 8, 2026, that the United States military would not launch strikes against Iran before the midterm elections

The ongoing military conflict with Iran is justified by U.S. national security interests

Public confidence in Donald Trump's policy decisions stood at 35% for foreign policy, 35% for the economy, and 41% for immigration enforcement in October 2026

The U.S. Pentagon instructed U.S. Central Command to prepare options for a potential resumption of major military strike operations against Iran

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed repeatedly refused to state whether Iran or Israel poses a greater threat to the United States, calling the question a ridiculous hypothetical and stating both are dangerous

Israel and Iran pose an equal threat to the United States

The White House stated on October 6, 2026, that Iran currently has no nuclear weapons, no navy, no air force, and no money because of President Donald Trump's actions

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Railway Company, Raja Passenger Trains Company, and Sherkat-E Rah Ahan-E Khamle-O-Naghle to target land routes used to transport oil and goods

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Iran's leading automotive companies, including Iran Khodro Company and SAIPA Iranian Automobile Manufacturing Company, which together control over 90% of Iran's domestic car market

The U.S. Treasury Department stated that Iran's automotive sector is the country's largest economic sector outside of oil and gas, serving as a core contributor to its industrial base and a major revenue generator for the regime

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned foreign suppliers in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, including Troy Trading Arac Parcalari Sanayi Ve Ticaret, for supplying parts to Iran's automotive industry

The U.S. Treasury Department alleges that the Iranian regime has increasingly relied on its railway system to transport petroleum, fertilizer, chemicals, and other goods to circumvent the U.S. naval blockade

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Niroo Motor Shiraz Industrial and Manufacturing Company, Iran's largest motorcycle company, for cooperating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij state security apparatus